2025 CITE Award Winners
CITE's Awards program congratulates and celebrates CITE members, partners, and others for the work they do and the accomplishments they've made to the education community. We're excited to share more about each award recipient!
Jump to:
- Technology Leader Award Recipient
- Technology Staff Award Recipients
- Educational Leader Award Recipient
- Regional Community Award Recipient
- Volunteer Award Recipient
TECHNOLOGY LEADER AWARD
Louis Mazzarini (posthumous)
Chief Technology Officer
Orange County Department of Education
“He wasn’t just dedicated to keeping systems running, but he was committed to something even greater: being there for others, fostering a sense of community, and building lasting friendships. Louis led with compassion, humility, and a deep sense of responsibility, always putting people first.
What stood out most was that Louis never led from a distance—he was on the front lines. He didn’t just give directions; he rolled up his sleeves. Whether it was carrying and unpacking equipment, holding doors open for workers hauling in ladders, or stepping in wherever help was needed, Louis showed that leadership means serving alongside others.
His presence is still felt in the culture he helped create, and his legacy lives on through the countless individuals he supported, mentored, and inspired.”
Louis' Nomination:
Nominated for this award by Carl Fong and 11 fellow colleagues, Carl wrote:
“I am nominating Louis Mazzarini for this honor, not only because he was a close friend I considered a brother but also for his remarkable contributions to the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) and its 29 school districts.
Louis dedicated 39 years to OCDE, beginning in 1986, and rose through the ranks to become the Director of IT in 2003. During his tenure, Louis made transformative changes, implementing cutting-edge technologies that revolutionized how the OCDE supported the districts.
Louis led significant improvements to the Payroll and HR systems. One of his crowning achievements was developing a mobile app that allowed district staff to access payroll, sick leave, and vacation balances directly from their phones. The redesigned Payroll system earned an award for the best use of technology, a testament to Louis's dedication to enhancing efficiency and accessibility.
Louis was always committed to staying ahead of the technological curve. He attended local CITE conferences, eagerly learning about the latest trends and innovations in the field. Louis’s passion for technology and his commitment to improving OCDE’s IT infrastructure. He not only embraced new technologies but also found ways that would benefit both staff and students across the county.
Over countless evenings, Louis and I brainstormed ideas, reviewed concepts, and figured out how to best communicate the department’s evolving strategies to staff and school districts. The IT Division grew from a single, unified team into six distinct departments: Application Support, Application Development, Cybersecurity, Networking, Systems and Databases, and Technical Support.
Beyond his technical expertise, Louis was deeply committed to fostering a positive, collaborative work environment. He treated the IT Division like family, creating a supportive, close-knit atmosphere. Louis believed in team building, and to that end, he organized friendly video game competitions using classic '80s Nintendo games. Winning teams would enjoy a pizza lunch, and this fun rivalry eventually extended to include HR staff as well.
Sadly, Louis retired in December 2024 and passed away in February 2025 after a courageous battle with cancer. He never got to fully enjoy his retirement with his family, which was heartbreaking for all who knew him. Despite his achievements, Louis was a humble person who preferred to stay out of the spotlight. Few people outside the IT division were aware of his retirement, and it’s difficult to write this nomination without him here to share in this recognition.
However, it’s important that his impact be acknowledged. Louis’s work touched the lives of countless students, teachers, principals, and administrators throughout Orange County, and his legacy will live on through the systems and improvements he put in place. He is survived by his loving wife, Sandy, and their two daughters, Stephanie and Jennifer.”
Read more about the Technology Leader Recipient
TECHNOLOGY STAFF AWARD
Rachel Yochum
Database Systems Analyst
Apple Valley Unified School District
Rachel's 19-year career in education began as a Records and Attendance Clerk at Silver Valley Unified School District. She then transitioned to a High School Secretary role, where she managed student behavior and contributed to the district's strategic planning as part of the technology committee. Her strong understanding of the Student Information System and commitment to ongoing learning led her to a career in educational technology 13 years ago.
In 2017, Rachel joined Apple Valley Unified as a Database Systems Analyst. She has been a consistent attendee of CETPA/CITE meetings, attending her first conference in 2015 and every CITE conference since. Her involvement in the educational technology community includes serving as a regional chair for the High Desert CITE Group, co-founding the High Desert Data Group, participating in CITE committees, and becoming a member of Cohort 16 of the CTO Mentorship Program.
Rachel's Nomination:
Nominated for this award by Rachel’s colleague, Chealsea Malterer, she wrote:
“It is a privilege to nominate Rachel Yochum for the CITE Technology Staff Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to TK–12 education. As a Database Systems Analyst at Apple Valley Unified School District (AVUSD), Rachel has been instrumental in leading our data systems, integration strategies, and student success initiatives. Her work spans departments and school sites, setting a high standard for data integrity and accessibility.
With nearly two decades of service in TK–12 education, Rachel consistently expands her expertise to promote equity, compliance, and transparency. At AVUSD, she plays a central role in daily operations and long-term data strategy. She oversees the integration of course data, rosters, and instructional tools in close collaboration with Curriculum and Instruction and external vendors, ensuring students and teachers have seamless, timely access to the digital resources they rely on for instruction, learning, and engagement.
A respected voice in the CITE community, Rachel has presented at conferences, volunteered for workshops, served on evaluation committees, and held multiple leadership roles in the CITE High Desert Regional Group and High Desert Data Group...Rachel Yochum exemplifies the best of educational technology: technical mastery, thoughtful leadership, and a deep commitment to student success.”
Read more about the Technology Staff Recipient
EDUCATIONAL LEADER AWARD
Tawny Reinhardt
EdTech Coordinator
Sacramento County's Office of Education
An edtech trailblazer at Sacramento County’s Office of Education. Tawny Reinhardt. Has nine years of experience in cutting-edge 1:1 middle school classrooms, Tawny’s passion for technology-infused learning has shaped her career. A USC English graduate with a credential from San Jose State and a master’s in educational technology from Cal State Fullerton, she’s thrived in Apple-distinguished and Chromebook-driven K-8 districts. Now SCOE's EdTech Coordinator, she coaches educators, fosters innovation, orchestrates interdepartmental collaboration, and champions free virtual EdTech development as a founding member of the Teacher Innovation Network hosting EdTech Playgrounds. She has been a returning presenter of innovative edtech strategies at conferences such as CUE and CITE as well as her county office's SCOE Schools annual professional development conferences. Tawny’s passion fuels her drive for the future of digital education and innovation, knowing that empowered learners are life-long learners. As a life-long learner herself, Tawny knows there's always something new to discover - you just have to be willing to chase it.
Tawny's Nomination:
Nominated for this award by Tawny’s colleague, Andrew Brooks, he wrote:
“I am writing to enthusiastically nominate Tawny Reinhardt, an extraordinary educational leader, for the prestigious CITE Educational Leader Award. As the Coordinator of Educational Technology and Digital Learning at the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE), Tawny has demonstrated a visionary approach to integrating technology in education, and her leadership has had a significantly positive impact on our organization.
Tawny works hand-in-hand with our IT department to ensure the successful integration of new technologies into our classrooms, including some of the most challenging environments, such as juvenile hall. Her innovative approach is matched by a deep understanding of instructional needs. She consistently serves as a bridge between educators, program staff, and our IT team. Tawny ensures that all voices are heard, the right stakeholders are included in discussions, and that every technology implementation is rooted in real-world classroom needs and use.
Tawny has attended multiple CITE conferences to learn more about her IT colleagues. She also worked with our IT Director to co-develop a CITE presentation called “Frenemies for Life”, which humorously tackled the challenges and rewards of collaboration between Educational Technology and IT departments. The presentation was well received and sparked important conversations across the CITE community about how to build successful cross-departmental relationships.
Tawny is a regular attendee of the CITE Capital Corridor regional group and serves as Co-Chair of the EdTech job-alike group, where she helps lead important discussions on topics such as artificial intelligence, data privacy compliance, integrating SSO with learning tools, and supporting teachers through the creation of instructional videos. She was recently elected to be the Capital Corridor Secretary for the 2025–26 school year, and she has already contributed several amazing ideas that will make our meetings more engaging and collaborative… She exemplifies what it means to be a forward-thinking, solutions-oriented, and compassionate leader in the education technology field.”
Read more about the Educational Leader Recipient
REGIONAL COMMUNITY AWARD
Central Valley North Regional Group
“The Central Valley North (CVN) CITE Regional Group stands as a model of collaboration, leadership, and peer-driven support within the educational technology community. Comprised of dedicated professionals from districts and county offices across the region, CVN has fostered a space where challenges are shared openly, strategies are developed collectively, and innovative solutions are shaped together.
What sets this group apart is its strong foundation of leadership paired with a commitment to inclusivity and relevance.”
Central Valley North Regional Group's Nomination:
Nominated for this award by Emily Bryan and Zach Nyquist, they wrote:
“Under the chairmanship of Chris Higle (Ceres Unified School District) and supported by Rames Creel (San Joaquin County Office of Education), Domingo Flores (Merced County Office of Education), and Travis Dillon (Stanislaus County Office of Education), the group has benefitted from clear direction, consistency, and a unified vision. These leaders have not only ensured productive and well-structured meetings, but have also nurtured an environment in which every voice is valued, and every member has an opportunity to contribute meaningfully.
One of the most impactful moments in recent CVN gatherings was the utilization of breakout groups designed to address topics that matter most to local districts and educational agencies. This structure was not decided top-down, but developed in response to feedback from the group itself—underscoring the deeply collaborative and responsive nature of the region.
By tailoring the agenda to the interests and needs of members, CVN has ensured that meetings are not only informative, but also actionable and directly relevant to the work happening in schools and offices across the Central Valley.
Members regularly turn to the group not just for ideas, but for real-time problem-solving and encouragement. Whether it’s navigating cybersecurity, onboarding new systems, or implementing edtech frameworks, CVN members openly share their experiences, lessons learned, and tools for success. This willingness to both give and receive support reflects a professional culture that is rare and deeply appreciated.
… At its core, CVN is driven by a belief that we are stronger together, and that the challenges we face in educational technology are best met through collaboration and shared knowledge.”
Read more about the Regional Community Award Recipient
VOLUNTEER AWARD
Chris Soliz
Director of Technology
Westside Union School District
With more than three decades dedicated to public education, Chris has had the unique opportunity to witness technology evolving from an IBM 8088 at her first district to a cornerstone of modern learning. Chris’ career journey, from being the only full-time classified employee in LA County's smallest one-school district to implementing the first electronic timekeeping system in the valley, has always been driven by a deep passion for helping people embrace the power of technology.
In 2007, after serving in various business roles in Gorman, Antelope Valley Schools Transportation Agency, and Lancaster School District, Chris officially began her technology journey at Westside Union School District. Starting as one of the district’s first system administrators, she helped build the infrastructure from the ground up. Today, in her 11th year as the Director of Technology, Chris leads the team in a mission to foster digital literacy and build a resilient technology environment for the entire school community. Chris’ experience has given her a deep appreciation for the impact of technology on both the classroom and district operations, and she is incredibly proud of the progress they have made.
Chris's Nomination:
Chris has been a steadfast and inspiring volunteer whose impact on CITE has been both meaningful and far-reaching. She played a pivotal role in advocating for, developing, and launching CITE’s flagship Privacy Services Program. Her leadership included piloting the program within her LEA, offering invaluable feedback and real-time guidance that helped shape both the initial rollout and ongoing expansion of this vital service.
As a dedicated member of the CITE Conference Committee, Chris brings deep insight into our audience’s needs and ensures the conference remains a welcoming and purposeful space. She consistently provides thoughtful recommendations, engages trusted exhibitors, and is always ready to lend a hand on-site wherever needed.
Most recently, Chris stepped into the role of Chair for the Antelope Valley/Santa Clarita Valley CITE Regional Group, where she has long been a committed member and contributor. Under her leadership, the group is poised to continue thriving as a key resource for the local CITE community.
In all that she does, Chris exemplifies CITE’s commitment to be a welcoming “professional home” for all members. Her ongoing contributions reflect a deep dedication to our mission and to the success of our members.