September 2024 Employees of the Month
GGUSD’s Employee of the Month program is designed to recognize employees who: put others first; go above and beyond to make a difference in their role; carry out each day with a positive attitude and strong work ethic and demonstrate innovation, leadership, and passion for their job.
Todd Nirk
First, we will recognize Todd Nirk who joined the district in 2006 as an Assistant Principal at Santiago High School where he worked until 2012, followed by two years as AP at Bolsa Grande High School, four years as principal at Hare High School, six years as principal at Garden Grove High School and now he is currently serving his second year as principal of Los Amigos High School. At each of the campuses where he has served, Todd has a gift for uniting staff and fostering a positive culture and climate where all students are valued and respected. He is student-centered, focusing on the needs of students above all else and building meaningful connections with students who appreciate him showing how much he cares. He’s also got a great sense of humor as last year’s Senior Class Prank at Los Amigos was to follow Todd around with a mariachi band for an hour and he took it in stride and had fun with it! Thank you Todd for all you do to demonstrate the Garden Grove Way!
Olivia Hufnagel
Next, we will recognize Olivia Hufnagel who joined the district in 1991 as a bilingual instructional aide where she served at Paine and Marshall elementary schools from 1991-1997 before getting her teaching credential and serving as a teacher at Lawrence Elementary for seven years as well as an adult education teacher at Lincoln for a few years. In 2007, she began serving as a K-6 TOSA and then she served as principal at Woodbury Elementary from 2009-2014, Assistant Principal at Russell Elementary Language Academy from 2014 to 2019 and now as Principal at Hazard Elementary School since 2019. Olivia is homegrown and has a huge heart for our students, families and communities. She has excellent leadership skills that have produced real results for her students. Families have shared that she is someone who they can trust as she has provided significant help to families in need and gone the extra mile to ensure student success. Thank you Olivia for all you do to carry out the Garden Grove Way!