Sylvan Middle School staff member wins ‘Spirit of San Juan’ award

By Hayden LePore–
Christopher Green is called the biggest cheerleader for the kids at Sylvan Middle School in Citrus Heights, helping students navigate through their days as the school’s community intervention specialist. His character and work earned him the honor of being one of six people to be honored at the 2018 Spirit of San Juan Awards on April 19.

In a two-minute video posted by the San Juan Unified School District following the award, former Sylvan Principal Kristan Schnepp, who now serves as the district’s director of professional learning and innovation, said Green is a role model who “reaches out to the students and talks to them in a way that de-escalates any tension or stress that they have.”

Students featured in the video said Green is easy to talk to and is there to help others when they have a bad day or just want to have fun. With his tall stature, they say he is also quite easy to find around campus.

Green says the reason he does it is because he wants students to have fun, and also be successful. “I want to be that person that they know when they were in middle school they had a gentleman who was looking out for them, who really cared deep down inside about their future and their success,” Green says in the video.

Spirit of San Juan awards annually recognize individuals or groups who help others in the school community, demonstrate positive character, and provide an inclusive environment for other people. Green was the only honoree to be recognized from a Citrus Heights school this year.

Each honoree received an award and certificate from Assemblyman Kevin Kiley (R-Roseville) during the event, which was emceed by Good Day Sacramento Anchor Marianne McClary. The others awarded were Joshua Davis, Michele Horner, Wanda Kirkland, Martha Quadros, and Khira Toussant.

Honorees were chosen out of 150 nominations submitted by parents, students, community members, and staff across the district.