Every day, in every hallway: Meet DSST's 2026 Core Value Award winners

Six people. Six values. One remarkable year.

Each year, DSST recognizes one staff member across the entire network for each of its six core values — Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Courage, Curiosity and Doing Your Best. These aren't awards for the loudest voices in the room. They're for the people who live the values quietly, consistently and with real impact on the students, families and colleagues around them. This year's six winners were celebrated at DSST's annual Toast staff appreciation event on May 7, honored by colleagues who took the stage to tell their stories.

Congratulations to this year's honorees:

DSST: Conservatory Green High School Dean Jonathan Ragoo earned the award for Integrity. His colleague and presenter PJ Shields described spotting a gold star sticker on the back of Ragoo's head at a recent school event, which was silly spirit wear, but fitting. "His word is gold, glinting, sparkling gold that plays with the light," Shields said. "Our students exist in a world that offers precious few role models for integrity. However, they, and we, enjoy an embarrassment of riches in his presence."

DSST: Elevate High School AP Spanish teacher Raul Castillo Ontiveros was recognized for Courage. This year alone, he launched La Raza club, organized two blood drives, took students to Chicago for the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute, established a reading partnership with a local elementary school and founded the Spanish National Honor Society at Elevate. "What makes all of this possible is courage," said School Director Emily Felsenthal. "The courage to ask, to advocate, to dream bigger for our students, and to turn those dreams into action."

Liliana Chavez, Operations Manager at DSST: Cole Middle School, was honored for Curiosity. CERM Layla Herrera, who presented the award, described Chavez as someone who steps in without hesitation when there are gaps, leads without waiting for permission and makes hard days lighter for everyone around her. "Lili, you inspire me to show up and do my best," Herrera said. "You remind all of us that curiosity isn't just about learning - it's about caring enough to keep showing up."

The award for Doing Your Best went to Breana Romero-Klein, a special education teacher at DSST: College View High School, whose students said it best. "To the teacher who never gave up on me: Thank you for being the best educator I've ever had," one student wrote. "Even on the days when I was difficult or mean, you met me with nothing but patience and kindness." Presenter Tony Conte described a moment just last week when a student who had struggled all year to complete writing tasks stayed past the bell, passionately typing alongside BRK. "Even seven months into the year," Conte said, "this teacher kept believing."

Kelly Weber, a special education teacher at DSST: Cole High School, was recognized for Respect. Her presenters described her as someone who ensures every student has what they need, brings staff together and leads with both warmth and high expectations. An 11th grader, Fernando Andrade, sent a letter that captured it simply: "I know I didn't always accept help from teachers, and I can be pretty stubborn, but your support really made a difference in my grades and my overall growth."

Sarah Goldstein, who works at the Home Office supporting social workers across the network, was honored for Responsibility. Grant Erwin, who first hired her in 2015, spoke to her deep, consistent care for students in crisis across multiple schools and years. "She is excellent because she chooses responsibility every day," said her co-presenter. "And she holds all of us to that same standard - to be excellent together for kids."

Congratulations to all six of this year's Core Value Award winners. Toast is one night. What you do is every single day.