Food service staff member has made a career feeding Sargent School District students
When Sargent School District ended the 2023-24 academic year, it was food service staff member Darlene Pinales who found herself in the spotlight when she became the first school cafeteria worker presented with the Adams State Educator Highlight Award.
The award has recognized teachers, custodians, administrators, and after-school specialists over the past two school years. But never before has a cafeteria staff member been held up for their contributions to Valley school kids until Pinales was honored for her work in the Sargent School District cafeteria.
“Darlene always has a smile on her face and is there to support the kids. Whether it is saying ‘good morning!’ as they walk in the door and grab a cold breakfast or a student not having to ask for a dietary-changed meal as she already knows what they need, she truly is there for the students,” read her nomination for the award.
Curtis Garcia, director of the Adams State School of Education, along with professors and support staff made the presentation during the last week of the school year. Each month, Adams State highlights an educator to recognize, with an intention to bring a focus around the importance of K-12 education and to motivate others to become educators.
Pinales, who resides in Monte Vista, has spent “28 wonderful years” with the Sargent School District. She began as a preschool teacher before making the change to the school cafeteria and a career feeding students.
“I’ve had kids that I had in pre-school when I was a teacher there and I still have them as parents and their grandkids,” she said of her career with Sargent.
On the favorite food the cafeteria serves, she said, “Sargent’s favorite lunches are cheeseburgers and chicken alfredo.”
It’s not just the lunches that the students remember of their time in the cafeteria that serves Sargent schools.
“Ms. Darlene was there from day one of kindergarten for me,” one student wrote in her nomination. “She always knew my name and asked me about what was going on in my life. Come graduation time, I don’t think I truly realized how big of an impact she made on my K-12 career.”
The Educator Highlight Award recognizes Adams State University School of Education alumni, prominent local teachers, and other educators working within or hailing from the San Luis Valley. In so doing, Adams State University hopes to build familiarity with the community as a serious destination for future educators.
Past winners:
Presley Garcia, Monte Vista special education teacher
Nick Dionisio, Alamosa High English teacher
Aaron Miltenberger, Boys & Girls Club executive director
Anna Bishop, Center High School CLD teacher
Phyllis Vigil, Sierra Grande first-grade teacher
AlexAndria Moore-Guenter, Moffat Schools secondary counselor
Omar Gonzalez, Alamosa Elementary visual art and music teacher
Leanna Brazel, Alamosa Elementary kindergarten teacher
Freddy Lawrence, Alamosa Elementary custodian
Joe Guenther, South Conejos School District
Katie Turner, Del Norte math teacher
Edwin Mondragon, Monte Vista High School agriculture teacher
Aaron Williams, GOAL High School English teacher
Miriam Baines, Alamosa High School biology and math teacher
Rachel Kellum, Moffat Schools art teacher
ABOUT THE EDUCATOR HIGHLIGHT AWARD:
This monthly award recognizes Adams State University School of Education alumni, prominent local teachers, and other educators working within or hailing from the San Luis Valley. In so doing, Adams State University hopes to build familiarity with the community as a serious destination for future educators. To nominate and educator email Chrissy McKinney at cmckinney@adams.edu.
