EECU and the Tulare County Office of Education Honor Outstanding Educators
November 4, 2026
Educational Employees Credit Union
Our purpose is to achieve unrivaled member satisfaction by understanding our members' financial needs and providing quality financial products and services.
FRESNO, Calif. (Nov. 4, 2026) – Educational Employees Credit Union (EECU) partnered with the Tulare County Office of Education to recognize outstanding educators and school employees at the 2026 Excellence in Education Awards Recognition Breakfast held November 3.
EECU proudly sponsored the
annual event, which celebrated 49 exceptional educators and school employees
whose dedication and contributions make a lasting difference for students,
families, and schools throughout Tulare County. Honorees were nominated by
their peers, with top award recipients selected by a committee.
This year’s top honors were
awarded to Placido Flores of Porterville Unified School District, named School
Employee of the Year; Josefina Velazquez of Dinuba Unified School District,
named Administrator/Manager of the Year; and Michael Bedoya of Dinuba Unified
School District, named Teacher of the Year.
EECU
President and CEO Elizabeth J. Dooley co-hosted the breakfast with Tulare
County Assistant Superintendent of Schools Chris Meyer, continuing a
longstanding partnership dedicated to celebrating excellence in education.
“Behind
every successful student are dedicated educators and school employees who go
above and beyond to help them reach their potential,” Dooley said. “Their hard
work, compassion, and commitment strengthen our schools and communities every
day. EECU is proud to partner with the Tulare County Office of Education to
recognize these remarkable individuals and celebrate the difference they make
in the lives of students.”
The Tulare County Excellence in
Education Awards ceremony is one of six annual countywide recognition events
EECU sponsors to honor outstanding educators and school employees throughout
Central California and the Central Coast. Through these partnerships, EECU
continues its longstanding commitment to supporting education and the
communities it serves.
For more information about
EECU’s educational partnerships and awards, visit myEECU.org.
EECU serves 12 Central California and Central Coast
counties and has 23 branches and more than 405,000 members. Since 1934, EECU
has provided affordable financial products and services to meet its members’
saving, borrowing, and investing needs. EECU is very active in the communities
it serves, proudly supporting numerous programs, activities and events that
enrich the community experience, and providing free financial wellness
education to people of all ages.