PSUSD executive assistant honored for pivotal role in assisting district leadership, students

Erika Barragan, executive assistant at Palm Springs Unified School District (PSUSD), has been named the 2025 Riverside County Confidential Employee of the Year. The surprise announcement came during a training session for district principals and administrators Thursday morning.

More than 100 PSUSD principals and administrators were gathered when Barragan was called to the large conference room. She entered to a round of applause, greeted by her family and Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez.

“I am a product of this district. I graduated from Palm Springs High School and grew up in Desert Hot Springs. I’m really happy to be here at the district giving back to the community that I grew up in,” Barragan said moments after receiving the news.

Barragan has served in her role at PSUSD since 2021, acting as a key liaison for the district and the superintendent’s office with various groups, including community organizations, state agencies, the board of education, and district staff.

Dr. Gomez highlighted the importance of Barragan’s position, stating, “We have about 400 confidential employees across Riverside County, and this is an instrumental position where she is supporting executive staff and administrators, and her role is pivotal in the efficient operation of the district’s top leadership.”

He added, “Erika is someone who is known for her integrity, her high caliber of excellence, and someone who is highly respected, and highly admired.”

Recently, Barragan led the district’s implementation of Assembly Bill 275, which authorized stipends for student board members. This process included researching, creating, and leading to the passage of district policy that amplifies student voice within PSUSD.

Before joining PSUSD, Barragan served as the first executive assistant for the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE), playing a crucial role in the formation and development of the new state agency. Colleagues describe her as having “a natural ability to assess the pros and cons of any decision and to offer wise advice.”

The surprise announcement is part of a series of visits conducted by Dr. Gomez to name the 2025 Riverside County Educators of the Year. These honorees are selected from more than 40,000 employees serving 430,000 students in over 500 schools across the county.

Six additional surprise visits are planned throughout January and early February to announce winners in other categories, including Certificated Administrator of the Year, Classified Employee of the Year, and Principal of the Year.

The rigorous application process begins with nominations by teachers, classified employees, and school district administrators throughout the county. Applications are then submitted to the Riverside County Office of Education, where an outside selection committee chooses the honorees before the county superintendent’s announcement.

All 2025 Riverside County Educators of the Year will be recognized at the Celebrating Educators Luncheon on May 13, at the Riverside Convention Center. This event will also honor the 2025 Riverside County Teachers of the Year, who were named previously.

Barragan, a resident of Indio, expressed her gratitude and commitment to serving the community where she grew up. Her recognition highlights the important role of support staff in the education system and their impact on district operations and student success.

As the first honoree announced for 2025, Barragan sets a high standard for excellence in educational support roles, district officials said. Her work in implementing policies that amplify student voices and her pivotal role in district leadership operations demonstrate the far-reaching impact of confidential employees in the education sector.

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