Parenting OC is proud to announce our 2017 Top Teachers! Many amazing teachers were nominated this year, and with so many great candidates, it was an extremely difficult decision. To read about all of our top teachers AND to find out who our Top Teacher of 2017 is, be sure to read our March 2017 issue! Here is our list of this years top 25 teachers of Orange County, organized alphabetically by last name:
Frederique Bauer
1st Grade, French, Math & Science
International School of Los Angeles
Nominated by Franck Reynaud, Campus Director & Jennifer Bealmear, Digital & Content Marketing Manager
David Beshk
5th Grade, Technology, Science, Physics, & STEM Programs
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School
Nominated by Anne Dahlem, Director of Communications and Marketing
Mary Brough
High School, Latin, Logic, Literature, Debate, Grammar & Writing
Adelphia Classical Christian Academy
Nominated by Tessy Tzoytzoyrakos, Vice Principal
Allison Carey
High School, Alternative Education Division
North Youth Resource Center, Anaheim
Nominated by Rick Martin, Director of Alternative Education
Beverly Debreczeni
Junior High, English & Literature
Fairmont Private Schools – Historic Anaheim
Nominated by Becky Lugo, Assistant Director
Blaine Dunsmore
1st Grade, STEM
Oakridge Private School
Nominated by Stefan Joly, Principal
Jennifer Ferrara
6th Grade
Charles G. Emery Elementary
Nominated by Karen Chalmers, Teacher
Mona Hijazi
K-6th Grade, Art
New Horizon School, Irvine
Nominated by Dina Eletreby, Head of School
Matt Holland
3rd Grade, GATE
Stoddard Elementary
Nominated by Dale Hillyer, Principal
Leonardo Indelicato
9th & 10th Grades, English, Freshman Honors
Fullerton Union High School
Nominated by Rani Goyal, Principal
Mary Koga
7th Grade, Science
Brea Junior High School
Nominated by Kelly Kennedy, Principal
Peter Lark
12th Grade, History
Orange Lutheran High School
Nominated by Todd Eklund, Principal
Ryan Leimkuhler
P.E., Athletic Director, Coach for Basketball, Football & Soccer
Heritage Oak Private School
Nominated by Shawna Rhebergen, Admission & Marketing Director
Andrew Lewis
8th Grade, History, Head of the History Department
VanDamme Academy
Nominated by Lisa VanDamme, Head of School & Grace Duryée
Ray Lopez
12th Grade, U.S. History
La Habra High School
Nominated by Karl Zener, Principal
Vedha Muthu
7th Grade, Life Science
St. John’s Episcopal School
Nominated by James Jordan, Middle Division Principal
Lori Rivera
Department Chair of Science
El Modena High School
Nominated by Keri Kimes, Assistant Principal
Michele Rowell
1st Grade
GOALS Academy
Nominated by Debra Schroeder, Founding Director
Doreen Santin
2nd Grade, Technology
Robert M. Pyles STEM Academy
Nominated by Cynthia Huerta, Assistant Principal
Cheryl Smith
2nd Grade, Special Day Classes
J.H. McGaugh
Nominated by Roni Ellis, Principal
Desmond Stevens
Visual & Performing Arts Chair
Portola High School
Nominated by John Pehrson, Principal
James Swiger
7th Grade, Social Studies
The Pegasus School
Nominated by Daniel Rosenberg, Middle School Principal
Carrie Wagner
4th Grade
West Orange Elementary School
Nominated by Sandra Preciado, Principal
Brian Wall
Art, IB Coordinator
Sunny Hills High School
Nominated by Allen Whitten, Principal
Julie Whetzel
Science
Ladera Ranch Middle School
Nominated by George Duarte, Principal
A huge thank you to all of the teachers and everyone who nominated them!
Family Favorite
Dana Ware
3rd & 4th Grades
Orange County Academy of Sciences and Arts, Laguna Niguel
All Nominated Teachers
Alphabetized by last name
A big shout out to all of the teachers who were nominated! Unfortunately we aren’t able to showcase every amazing teacher in our Top Teacher issue, but we didn’t want them to all be left out! Here’s a list of all of the nominated teachers who were submitted for our 2017 Top Teachers of Orange County issue:
Shelli Abbott
Arthur F. Corey School, Nominated by Valerie Connolly, Principal
Brandon Adame
Fairmont Private Schools – Historic Anaheim, Nominated by Kelly Robinette, Education Manager
Lori Allen
Oak Grove Elementary, Nominated by Jill O’Connell-Bogle, Principal
Ralph Aloia
Fairmont Private Schools – Anaheim Hills, Nominated by Kelly Robinette, Education Manager
Jean An
Dr. Jonas E. Salk Elementary School, Nominated by Roger Nguyen, Assistant Principal
Jasmine Anderson
Crean Lutheran High School, Nominated by Dan Moyer, Vice Principal of Academics
Lynn Anderson
Fairmont Private Schools – North Tustin, Nominated by Kelly Robinette, Education Manager
Nina Baumgartner
St. Angela Merici Parish School , Nominated by Vanessa Halliday, Assistant Principal
Julie Blodgett
Whitaker, Nominated by Julie Perron, Principal
John Briner
Fairmont Private Schools – Historic Anaheim, Nominated by Kelly Robinette, Education Manager
Melissa Chavez
Los Coyotes, Nominated by Robyn Yarbrough, Principal
Anna Chen
Frank N. Eastwood Elementary, Nominated by Jason Kuncewicki, Principal
Beth Clark
St. John’s Lutheran School, Nominated by Robin Gomes, Assistant Principal
Jennifer Collison
Fairmont Preparatory Academy, Nominated by Kelly Robinette, Education Manager
Stephanie Conklin
Fairmont Private Schools – Anaheim Hills, Nominated by Kelly Robinette, Education Manager
Dottie Dennehy
Serra Catholic School, Nominated by Carol Reiss, Principal, Preschool – Grade 2
Karen Dueker
Hephatha Lutheran School, Nominated by Eric Deyke, Principal
Karen Dunn
Wagner Elementary School, Nominated by Patrick Brown, principal
Raymond Dunne
Santa Margarita Catholic High School, Nominated by Chris Popovec, Communications Coordinator
Denise Fielden
Los Alamitos Elementary School, Nominated by Sunghie Okino, Principal
KC Fockler
Talbert Middle School, Nominated by Jennifer Morgan, Principal
Janelle Fox
Los Alamitos High School, Nominated by Brandon Martinez, Principal
Caitlyn Frank
Grace Lutheran School, Nominated by Jean Nosco, Principal
Cynthia Fraser
Fairmont Private Schools – North Tustin, Nominated by Kelly Robinette, Education Manager
Nancy Freese
St. John’s Episcopal School, Nominated by Monica Barnum, Elementary Division Principal
Barbara Frey
Grace Christian Schools, Nominated by Natalie Cruze,
Sharon Frydendall
St. John’s Lutheran School, Nominated by Robin Gomes, Assistant Principal
Katie Ghrist
Robert M. Pyles STEM Academy, Nominated by Dawn Breese, Principal
Angela Hamre
Eastside Christian School, Nominated by Kim VanGeloof, Head of Schools
Amanda Hart-Richardson
John H. Eader Elementary School, Nominated by Deborah Randall, Principal
Crystal Hill
Calvary Chapel Christian School Cypress, Nominated by Denelle Voegtly, Director, PALS CCCS
Cheryl Howard
The Pegasus School, Nominated by Jennifer Green, Lower School Director
Shawne Hume
Marina High School, Nominated by Jessie Marion, Principal
Niran Ibrahim
Pillars Academy, Nominated by Zubeda Kazi, Director
Sunny Jung
Magnolia science academy Santa Ana , Nominated by Laura Schlottman, Principal
Aubrey Kadow
Saddleback Valley Christian, Nominated by Rod Markum, Principal
Linda Kdeiss
Calvary Chapel Christian School, Nominated by Denelle Voegtly, Director, PALs CCCS
Keith Kenmotsu
Halstrom Academy, Nominated by Chris Land, Director Of Student Success
Keelie Knego
St. John’s Lutheran School, Nominated by Robin Gomes, Assistant Principal
Elliott Kristina
SCHMITT ELEMENTARY, Nominated by Orchid Rocha, PRINCIPAL
Kitty Lapporte
Liberty Christian School, Nominated by David Whitmire, Principal
Jaya Leslie
Fairmont Preparatory Academy, Nominated by Kelly Robinette, Education Manager
Karen Lin
Frontiers Academy, Nominated by Vanessa Ortiz, Director
Josephine “Val” Logie
Ladera Ranch Middle School, Nominated by Kristin Orloff, Assistant Principal
Ms. Ludeman
Brookhurst Junior High School, Nominated by Andrew Ross
Stephanie Lukkes
Arroyo Elementary, Nominated by Amy Jones, Principal
Mary Manese
Santa Margarita Catholic High School, Nominated by Alyssa Flynn, Student Counselor
Heidi Martasian
Portola High School, Nominated by John Pehrson, Principal
Betsy Martinez
Pio Pico Elementary School, Nominated by Robert Anguiano, Former Principal at Pio Pico (last year)
Ann McBride
Mabel L. Pendleton Elementary School, Nominated by Jay Beckelheimer, Administrative Intern
Emily McCourtney
Tustin Connect Center, Nominated by Dustin O’Malley, Administrator
Debbie Mendez
Arthur F. Corey, Nominated by Valerie Connolly, Principal
Dawn Mercado
Rossier Park School, Nominated by Maria Chappelear, Executive Director
Jenny Miklos
Orange Lutheran High School, Nominated by Todd Eklund, Principal
Valerie Miske
Serra Catholic School, Nominated by Carol Reiss, Principal, Preschool- Gr. 2
Clinton Mosley
Maple Elementary, Nominated by Pablo Diaz, Education Innovation Specialist
Ora Mounphiphak
Davis Elementary School, Nominated by Robert Anguiano, Principal
Kelli Nye
Clarence Lobo Elementary School, Nominated by Cheryl Sampson, Principal
Elizabeth O’Shea
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School, Nominated by Anne Dahlem, Director of Communications and Marketing
Courtney Ogle
St. Hedwig Catholic School, Nominated by Erin Rucker, Principal
Nancy Pace
Heritage Oak Private Education, Nominated by Shawna Rhebergen, Admissions & Marketing Director
Anna Padilla
Walt Disney School, Nominated by Teali Fielder, Principal
Jessica Pak
Fairmont Private Schools – North Tustin, Nominated by Kelly Robinette, Education Manager
Lynne Pantano
St. Junipero Serra Catholic School, Nominated by Julie Tipton, Principal
Greg Platt
Troy High School, Nominated by William Mynster, Principal
Christy Prendergast
Columbus Tustin Middle School, Nominated by Maggie Burdette, Principal
Liessa Randle
Marblehead Elementary, Nominated by Faith Morris, Principal
Krista Ratnaweera
Mattie Lou Maxwell, Nominated by Steve Pescetti, Principal
Melissa Ratzlaff
Oakridge Private School, Nominated by Stefan Joly, Principal
Lisa Reid
Reid Day School , Nominated by Jillian Ramos , Associate Director
Rebecca Renna
St. Junipero Serra Catholic School, Nominated by Julie Tipton, Principal
Cherryl Richardson
St. Anne School, Nominated by Nicole Peddy, Director of Marketing Communications
Brittany Rineer
E3 Academy, Nominated by Janine Diaz, Admin
Sue Ritter
Montessori Harbor – Mesa, Nominated by Giuliana De Frenza, Directress
Lisa Ritz
Calvary Chapel Christian School Cypress, Nominated by Denelle Voegtly, Director, PALS CCCS
Jennifer Ross-Viola
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School, Nominated by Anne Dahlem, Director of Communications and Marketing
Hayley Sampson
Orange Lutheran High School, Nominated by Todd Eklund, Principal
Connie Schramm
Crean Lutheran High School, Nominated by Dan Moyer, Vice Principal of Academics
Christina Sepe
Aliso Niguel High School, Nominated by Deni Christensen, Principal
Teresa Shubin
Amerimont Academy, Nominated by Kimberly Ford, Principal
Blake Smith
Valley High School , Nominated by Adriana Padilla, Student
Cindy Snyder
Heritage Oak Private School, Nominated by Shawna Rhebergen, Admissions & Marketing Director
Karen Stepanski
John Muir Fundamental School, Nominated by Herminio Bautista, Assistant Principal
Karla Taylor
Fairmont Private Schools – Anaheim Hills, Nominated by Kelly Robinette, Education Manager
Sherrie Todorovic
Juliette Low Elementary School, Nominated by Debra Von Sprecken, Principal
Denise VandenRaadt
Los Coyotes, Nominated by Robyn Yarbrough, Principal
Melanie Vogel
Fairmont Private Schools – Anaheim Hills, Nominated by Kelly Robinette, Education Manager
Kirschel Vollebregt
Las Flores Middle School, Nominated by Sean McNamara, Principal
Leslie Waggoner
Saddleback Valley Christian Schools, Nominated by Lori Jensen, Elementary and Junior High Principal
Brittany Walters
Walter Elementary School, Nominated by Katie Brown, Principal
Lu Wang
Costa Mesa High School, Nominated by Jacob Haley, Principal
Paige Webb
Andersen Elementary School, Nominated by Shannon Bray, Principal, Anderesen Elementary School
Glen Worthington
Crean Lutheran High School, Nominated by Dan Moyer, Vice Principal of Academics
Jessica Wurn
Early College High School, Nominated by Dave Martinez, Principal
Roxana Zamudio
Frontiers Academy, Nominated by Vanessa Ortiz, Director
Roxanne Skovira says
February 4, 2017 at 8:08 amI am voting for Doreen Santin, great teacher
a real parent says
February 1, 2017 at 4:42 pmThe teacher I nominated isn’t on your list, and I see you only considered those who were nominated by an administrator or another teacher. I guess I shouldn’t have bothered to write up my nomination. I’ll know better than to waste my time next year.
Kevin Yoshimasu says
February 22, 2017 at 12:57 pmHello,
I’m terribly sorry your nominated teacher is not on the list. If you would like, please email me at kevin@parentingoc.com with your name or your nominated teacher’s name, and I will speak with our staff and see if we can locate your nomination. We will have all of the nominations posted online in March, and we do our best to post everyone’s nomination.
As far as administrator/teacher nominations are concerned, we do base our Top 25 Teachers off of administrator/teacher nominations, but we do have Family Favorites as well, which is where parent/student nominations go towards. We do read though all the nominations, and while it’s unfortunate, we are unable to showcase everyone’s nomination. We do encourage parents and students to nominate their teachers though as the Family Favorite winners are also acknowledged for their hard work in our issue as well. Every vote towards your teacher makes a difference as sometimes the winner is decided by one or two votes!
I apologize though if this does not seem worthwhile. Unfortunately I’m not able to give much more information regarding the process, but if you would like to speak to our editor, she can be reached on our “About Us” page, or emailed at sascha@parentingoc.com. I apologize again, but I hope this has been a little helpful.