Published Monday, May 18, 2026 at 2:15 p.m.
Substitute teacher, coach and general all-around helper Sarah Courtney and office manager, troubleshooter Karol Shuffield were named Lucerne Valley USD Employees of the Month at the Thursday, May 14, 2026 meeting of the district’s Board of Trustees.
Superintendent Peter Livingston presented the awards to the honorees.
Certificated - Sarah Courtney
Sarah, who was unable to attend the event, was recognized our certificated employee of the month for her outstanding dedication and commitment to our school, district, and community, Mr. Livingston said, quoting her nominators.
“Although she serves as a substitute teacher, her impact reaches far beyond the classroom. She is always willing to step in wherever help is needed and consistently goes above and beyond to support both students and staff.
“Her care and compassion for students are evident in everything she does. From coaching softball and volleyball to assisting in our CTE department, she brings positivity, energy, and a student-centered mindset to every role she takes on. Sarah willingly accepts challenges, helps fill important needs on campus, and continuously works to create meaningful connections with students.
“As one of our class advisors, she demonstrates leadership, dedication, and school pride while serving as a positive role model for everyone around her. Her willingness to help, uplifting attitude, and commitment to student success make her an invaluable member of our team.
“We are incredibly grateful to have her as part of our school family. Congratulations on being recognized as our Certificated Employee of the Month!”
Classified - Karol Shuffield
“We are proud to recognize Karol Shuffield for her outstanding work and dedication this year,” Mr. Livingston said. “Karol has done an exceptional job managing budgets with accuracy and organization, helping ensure our site runs smoothly.”
Additionally, Mr. Livingston said, “She has also worked closely with the district and high school team to recoup ADA through accurate attendance in AERIES for tutoring, directly supporting our school’s funding efforts. In addition, Karol has been a huge support to the administrative team by creating an efficient system for managing teacher orders, improving communication and streamlining the process for everyone. Karol’s reliability, attention to detail, and commitment make her an invaluable part of our team. We are grateful for all she does and proud to recognize her as our Employee of the Month.”