CHS culinary arts teacher Chef Kerrie Allen has been selected LVSUD Certificated Employee of the Year, one of 550 LVUSD teachers to receive the recognition. 

This morning, LVUSD Superintendent Dr. Dan Stepenosky and members of the district cabinet came to CHS, armed with confetti, to surprise Allen with the news of her recognition. 

“I had all the administration, board members and district all walk into the kitchen from the hallway, and my first thought was actually that I didn’t see an email and that they were all visiting me, so I was in a little bit of a panic mode,” said Allen. “I didn’t know what was going on, and then they told me [about the award] in front of all of my students!”

Allen, who has been building the CHS culinary program for eighteen years, was thrilled to see that all of her work was being recognized and celebrated.

“I was truly shocked, surprised and a little bit emotional,” said Allen. “I kind of felt like it was finally a validation for eighteen years, putting this program together, and how far along it’s come. It was a hard time through COVID, and I made it work, and so it’s really a true validation knowing that it was recognized.”

Stepenosky acknowledges Allen’s contributions to the CHS student body and greater LVUSD community.

“Over her eighteen years in LVUSD she has built an amazing culinary arts program that has launched countless careers for our CHS students,” said Stepenosky. “She is a wonderful leader, dynamic educator [and] caring person, [and] she is an inspiration to all of us.”

Allen will be specially recognized Monday, April 17 at the Annual Tribute to Educators district-wide event, which will take place in the Agoura High PAEC. Allen will also be the LVUSD nominee for the LA County teacher of the year award, according to Stepenosky.

Note: This article has been updated as of March 28 to reflect new comments from Dr. Stepenosky.