By Melanie Corona , Public Information Officer , Gilroy Unified School District

Gilroy Unified School District celebrates three dynamic women recognized by the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce as this year ’ s Spice of Life honorees . We are grateful for the opportunity to spotlight these women who represent GUSD :

Deborah A . Flores , Ph . D ., Superintendent , GUSD ~ 2021 Gilroy Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year - Dr . Flores has been GUSD Superintendent since July 2007 . A superintendent for 19 years , with over 40 years of service in public schools , she is the longest serving superintendent in Santa Clara County . During her tenure , Dr . Flores has served the community as chair for the Gilroy Chamber Business Education Committee , and as a member of Gilroy Rotary since 2008 . Her son , Julian , a Gilroy High graduate , is a senior at UC Santa Barbara .

The Chamber of Commerce recognized Dr . Flores for her exemplary career , with emphasis on her leadership in GUSD ’ s response to the COVID-19 pandemic . Transitioning all students to a distance learning model , closing the District Office , and the transition of 1,100 employees to remote workdays where just some of the challenges met . Gavilan College and 2020 Gilroy Rotary President , Kathleen Rose , shared , “ Dr . Flores has prioritized the safety of students , families , and school staff while remaining committed to educating students . The transition … has required leadership , commitment , and the attainment of new knowledge and expertise . She has also gone beyond her own district by acting in an advisory role on the needs of school districts throughout Santa Clara County .” Dr . Flores considers the response by GUSD staff members “ The greatest team effort have ever been a part of .” The entire GUSD team has benefitted greatly from her leadership .

Teri Mikkelsen , Brownell Middle School ~ 2021 Gilroy Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year - As an 8 ^th grade English Language Arts ( ELA ) and Social Studies teacher at Brownell Middle School , Mrs . Mikkelsen prepares her students for high school . This school year she has maintained her high academic standards and mastered new technologies .

She cares for the whole child , in and out of the classroom . Each year she measures her students ’ height to start and end the year , showing them how much they ’ ve grown . In 2019 , Ms . Mikkelsen opened her classroom to more than 30 visitors from Gilroy ’ s sister city Takko-Machi , Japan for a day of games , activities , exchange of gifts , photos , and smiles while learning about Japanese and American culture . Ms . Mikkelsen ’ s colleagues shared , “ Teri ’ s positivity , professionalism , and love of her craft , emanate from everything she is involved with . Her positive , growth-mindset focus creates a stable , safe learning environment where students flourish .”

Danielle Russell , Senior , Christopher High School 2021 Susan Valenta Youth Leadership Award Danielle Russell honors the past in everything she does . The CHS senior has long been involved with Wreaths Across America , a national program honoring the memory of veterans from all four branches of the US military . She also is active with the Gilroy branch of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and pays tribute to Gilroy veterans on her Instagram account (@ honoring _ our _ heroes _ ca ). She serves as the Secretary to the Gilroy Foundation ’ s Youth Board . Danielle has completed over 650 community service hours . She will attend Gettysburg College in the fall as a history major and member of the tennis team . She attended Luigi Aprea Elementary and Brownell Middle Schools before beginning her high school career at Christopher High . When Chamber CEO , Mark Turner made the surprise announcement , Danielle shared , “ This project means so much to me . This is my way to make sure these men and women won ’ t be forgotten . For me that ’ s enough , for now . And when I leave that they won ’ t be forgotten and someone else will be here for them .”

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GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN WINTER 2021 gmhtoday . com