All 2020 Top Teacher Nomination Essays
Cindy Anderson
Truman Benedict
Mrs. Anderson was so accommodating, attentive, and sensitive to our sons academic struggles. She went out of her way to address what was challenging for him, she met with us numerous times and sent us home with fun learning games and books. My son who had panic attacks to go to school became so excited for school and eager to learn. She got him on track with such determination it brings tears to my eyes. A truly wonderful human and nurturing teacher. I wish every child could have her for first grade! This woman deserves more than teacher of the year.
Nominated by Carli Anderson
I’ve had three boys in schools in Pleasanton, CA and San Clemente CA, and Cindy Anderson is the most dedicated teacher that fosters both a love of learning in students and ensures students are working at their full potential.She has a warm but firm approach to classroom management so students pay attention and enjoy an orderly and enriching class environment.Cindy Anderson goes above and beyond preparing curriculum and ensuring all students are accounted for in lessons.She is an incredible teacher and I hope she can be recognized for her hard work, dedication, creativity, and love for educating our youth.
Nominated by Michelle Humphrey
I have had Mrs. Anderson for both of my sons and she is amazing! Both of my sons had trouble reading and had really no interest. She helped to transform their interest and now reading is fun for them! Mrs. Anderson LOVES her students and is passionate about helping them be successful. She goes above and beyond more than any other teacher we’ve had and ensures her students are her top priority. That even means that most days she is the last one to leave the school. I highly recommend her as a top teacher in Orange County and she definitely deserves to be recognized!
Nominated by Sarah O’Connor
Mrs. Anderson is the epitome of dedication and love of teaching. Her car is usually the first and last one in the school parking lot and her web-site speaks for itself.Every single weekend we as parents would get a detailed recap (per subject with numerous pictures) of what the kids had tackled the week prior.This went on all year, every week.Anyone that has boys can attest to the fact that this info was golden for details of his week,Every email I sent was responded to within hours, even if it was as late as 10:00 p.m. before school started at 7:45AM, or on the weekend.Every Christmas season she invites all the 1st graders to come caroling in her neighborhood, complete with cider and cookies. She even sends Christmas Cards to every student she’s ever had until they graduate at Truman. I think last year was upwards to 500 cards.During the summer Mrs. Anderson has a summer library on her porch where any of her past/present students & siblings can check out free books all summer long.As a class we have even received emails, reminders & pictures every few weeks over the summer.When my son had a good day at reading she would leave a voicemail of him or an email showing his improvement and even attended kids baseball games on her days off.She is the best of the best, works 24/7 even weekends to respond and send out information regarding each and every student and now that my son is in 2nd grade he asks to visit her class on a daily basis cause she asks and cares about him.Please check out her web-site.It is unbelievable and sent to the parents with a weekly recap per subject every single week.
Nominated by Angela panagetopulos
Mrs. Anderson is a dedicated teacher to all students. She works until at least 4 every day after school! Anderson is a pivotal teacher to students learning to read! She organizes all class events and parties and relies on very minimal parent volunteering. I’ve never seen a teacher work so hard with the passion and expertise that she shows!!
Nominated by Jennifer Toney
She is fantastic. Organized, communicative, enthusiastic, uses positive language to motivate students, flexible and able to respond to individual students needs during class.
Nominated by Marianna Pellissier
Positive and life changing for my 6/7 year old!She is a shining example of the caring instruction and devotion all children deserve in the public school district.She keeps families informed weekly through email with things like: if you want to get more than a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer from your child ask them these questions, and here is what we did in class this week.She is so friendly, warm, and kind.As a parent I looked forward to our communications.She helped my student love reading and writing, and having free time to choose his own direction in class.She has so much patience for her students, and goes out of her way to make time for them outside of classroom hours.She even invites everyone to her house around the Christmas holiday to sing carols in her neighborhood.The kids formed a real bond doing things outside of normal instruction.She provided parents with access to Scholastic Books so we could enrich our children’s lives.She even set up a “library” at her house over the summer where kids could check out books. I have nothing but amazing things to say about Mrs. Anderson.Hopefully my next child will get her as a teacher.
Nominated by Nicole Marino
We have had Cindy for three of our kids. She is amazing! She is organized, on time and thoughtful to her approach in teaching. She is very structured and runs the class in an amazing fashion! I have one child in elementary, one in middle and one in high school. Out of all of The teachers my kids have had throughout the years, she is absolutely the best! She is or is this more than anyone. Yet she never does things for recognition. She just loves her job. And that’s why we love her!
Nominated by Kelly Woolley
Amy Andi
Sunset Lane Elementary
Amy andi is hands down the best teacher in Orange County. She has an amazing ability to connect to students AND parents AND fellow teachers. Her passion for understanding and growing her students’ character, their love for learning, their lifelong learning habits, is unparalleled. She truly cares about each individual and makes you feel SEEN. I see her interactions with other students, the struggling students, the successful students and I see there is no difference to her. She loves them, validates them and truly gives them a school culture and community that is positive and nurturing. Amy andi is the type of teacher who goes above and beyond for her students. She spends her extra time serving on the PTA board because she knows how important that link is between teachers and parents. She has spent countless sacrificial hours prepping for her students and every detail is from her heart. She is the type of teacher where 17 year old kids come back to their elementary school and volunteer because they loved her so much. She is the type of teacher who still is connected to students’ parents that she had 13 years ago. If you come to Fullerton, people know Amy Andi because she is hands down the best teacher that I have witnessed.
Nominated by ConniePyo
Sweet. Nurturing. Inviting. Creative. Always smiling. These are the first words that come to our kids’ minds, and ours as well, when we talk about Ms. Andi. Ms. Andi teaches 1st grade, but this year she is teaching a combo class of 1st/2nd grade. Students and their parents, and fellow teachers are drawn to her because she is so nurturing and so sweet. You can’t help but have a big smile when you see her and speak to her. She looks out for the students as if they were her own kids and you can tell that she really wants to ensure all the kids are learning and thriving. It’s teachers like Ms. Andi who establish positive self esteem and confidence in the growing minds of young children. You have to foster the creative minds of young kids, and that is what she does with her fun and engaging lesson plans and projects. Parents are also kept in the loop of what the class is doing via an app. Ms. Andi posts the weekly syllabus on the app (because you know those papers mysteriously disappear in thr kids’ hands) and pictures as well. I appreciate that I feel included in the class events even though I am at work. Everyday, my child is so eager to go to school to see Ms. Andi —she is magic.
Nominated by Jenny Apostol
Teresa Andrade
McPherson Magnet
Teresa is the only elementary CTE credentialed teacher in our district and does a phenomenal job of educating our students about their future careers. Each week she educates K-5th grade students in the Project Lead the Way curriculum for one hour. Additionally, she teaches three sections of middle school engineering utilizing two modules from Project Lead the Way: Design and Modeling and Automation and Robotics. Examples of projects that she has completed include:• 2nd grade students build knowledge and skills that will enable them to program a game on a tablet using Scratch Jr. Mrs. Andrade teaches students that computing is a collaborative activity that fosters creativity, communication, and teamwork. Students have to be able to break a problem down into smaller problems in order to construct a sequence of steps to solve a problem. Persistence is key her key to success!• 4th grade students investigate how we take in information through the senses and where the information is processed in the brain. Her students also explore how the brain and body react to stimuli. For the final project in this module, Mrs. Andrade has students work as a team to design, plan, and create a video to raise awareness about concussions and educate children as to how concussions can be either identified early or prevented all together.• 6th graders designed prototypes of an ankle foot orthosis (AFO) for a cerebral palsy patient. Students had limited supplies and a short amount of time to collaborate and apply the design process. Mrs. Andrade facilitated students to create a workable prototype.In addition to teaching, this year Teresa also started the first Femineers club within the Orange Unified School District. Teresa sought out 6th through 8th grade girls that might have an interest in STEM careers. She meets with the group every Monday after school and they complete projects (wearable technology with Arduinos, etc.). The girls will complete at the end of the year at a Femineers forum at Cal Poly Pomona.I can always count on Teresa to do her best with every endeavor. She has impeccable character, setting and achieving high standards with perseverance and a smile. She unifies staff members and does a great job of encouraging others to do their best. Without question, I give Teresa Andrade my recommendation and believe that she should be Teacher of the Year.
Nominated by Joe Erven
Shelley Andros
Buena Park Junior High
Shelley Andros is a remarkable educator, leaving her heart-print across our district and community, changing the trajectory of many students’ lives along the way.Mrs. Andros dedicates her time and talents to ensuring that all students succeed, creating lasting relationships with students that help to bolster students’ motivation and strengthen their work ethic. Her tireless work has led to the development of many BPSD programs that excite and engage students such as the BPSD STEM/Sailing Academy, the BPJH Horticulture program utilizing the native garden habitat area (which Shelley helped to create), the BPSD VEX Robot Nation Tournament (which Shelley orchestrated), the BPJH Coding Class that offers the AP Coding exam, (our junior high students earn college credit),BPJH Robotics, and the Femineers Program (female engineers).Mrs. Andros creates these stellar programs and offers them to students in a non-exclusionary way as evidenced by the number of special needs students and ELD learners who successfully participate in and pass her classes. Mrs. Andros is a true champion of all students and her passion is evidenced by her ability to juggle a very busy and demanding schedule (she maintains 3 different classrooms on our campus) yet still finds time to sit with a student during her planning period who may be having a tough day or to fill her closets with healthy snacks and water bottles for our economically challenged students who need a boost during the day.Students flock to her classes because she offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere that sets high standards for all students.Shelley also seeks to improve students’ lives through her work on the BPJH PBIS Team, as a Pentathlon coach, hosting a Paradigm Challenge After-School Program, and many other school committees. Shelley’s expertise is unmatchable, and her participation with the OCDE Lead STEM Practitioner Program has impacted teachers across the district.Through her leadership, the BPSD STEM Certification program was developed and implemented, offering teachers hands-on experience with focus on how to engage students in high-quality STEM experiences, impacting hundreds of students district-wide.As an OC Ecosystem participant, Shelley is seeking ways to create learning pathways from the elementary, through middle-school, to local high-schools and has helped several to launch a successful school garden.Ms. Andros connects with other middle-schools in the area, opening lines of communication and collaborating in order to maximize outcomes for all students. Mrs. Andros is truly one of OC’s finest!
Nominated by Erik Bagger
AlejandrinaArellano
Ponderosa Elementary
Ms. Alejandrina Arellano is a stakeholder on campus and in the Anaheim Community. She serves as a fourth grade teacher at Ponderosa Elementary – a diverse, highly populated elementary school in the resort area of Anaheim. Ms. Arellano is a “Homegrown Teacher” – a teacher who returns to their community and teaches where she was raised and educated.Ms. Arellano excels in making connections with scholars and families. These connections guide scholars through the learning process. She has them set goals, understand purpose for learning, and motivates through hands on learning projects to continue to critically think and make connections to real life applications. Through her understanding of growing up as a first generation Latina, she inspires the students and families to understand the power of education. Ms. Arellano is committed to making a difference at Ponderosa. Though her commitment to making a difference in the community – she organizes College Week at Ponderosa. This week long event exposes all scholars TK-6 to understand the scope of college and career possibilities. Ms. Arellano creates presentations for teachers and families to understand the various college systems that California has to offer.During the course of the week, the scholars learn about Community Colleges, Private, Cal State and UC college systems.Through this same lens, she is part of an organization in the City of Anaheim called – SOMOS. A community group in Anaheim dedicated to fostering unity and progress in Anaheim.She leads the collection tocreate college baskets for deserving future College Freshmans through fundraising and donations.This program “Canastas for College” – translates to Baskets for College – to support scholars with essential supplies to get them ready to attend higher education.Through SOMOS- We are Anaheim, Ms. Arellano also serves as the liaison between Ponderosa Elementary and the Anaheim Community Services Department to create a special Dia de los Muertos event for the Anaheim Community. Ponderosa Elementary has been represented at the City Event – where the community comes together to honor the dead. A Mexican holiday where the scholars in her class and other classes create altars and mementos to honor the families of their community. Ms. Alejandrina Arellano goes above and beyond to support classroom, school, and the Anaheim community. She is a true leader. She understands vision and making a difference. Ms. Arellano exemplifies the educational mission to leave a mark on the world.
Nominated by Yadira Moreno
AmandaAshby
San Joaquin Elementary School
Dynamic is the word that comes to mind when students, parents, and staff at San Joaquin Elementary School describes our 4th grade teacher Mrs. Ashby because sheis a vanguard for STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art and Mathematics) best practices at San Joaquin Elementary School.Mrs. Ashby shines with creating Intentional Lesson designs that meet the needs of her students, teaches the curriculum, promotes the 4Cs of Common Core (Collaboration, Creativity, Communication, Critical Thinking), is rigours in nature, and differentiated to scaffold student learning.For example, recognizing that a large percentage of our students are English Language Learners, she designs her math lessons with multiple opportunities for students to engage in mathematical discourse regarding mathematical processes, defend and respectfully argue their mathematical rational, and find multiple pathways to calculate answers. She’s also engaged with teaching a STEAM engineering class where students apply their knowledge of the engineering process to create solutions to real world problems presented to them as STEAM Challenges such as remotely turning off a light via flipping a switch.With this type of engagement, our students are being set up for success when the reach high school and college! She is also an active with making sure her students get the best, which is why she’s served on various textbook adoption committees for math, language arts, and science and she is currently piloting a new science curriculum for our district based on NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards).Not lost on her is the importance of staying current with best practices, instructional strategies and applications.Therefore, she volunteered to be a Lead STEM Practitioner with the Orange County Department of Education so she can learn from the best and then collaborate with our staff and diversify our educational tool belt. She is currently looking forward to utilizing and applying her superhero powers as a credentialed reading specialist, who has a Masters Degree in Reading and Literacy, to start a literacy club that focuses not only on reading, but on reading skills as well.To round out her powers, she is San Joaquin’s Elementary Chair, on our Leadership Team, is our AVID Chair, and an OC GRIP (Orange County Gang Reduction Intervention Program)mentor who meets regularly with at-risk students.With all that she does, she is a superhero to all our students and makes a positive impact in their lives on multiple levels everyday, all day.
Nominated by David Shun
Peggy Aungst
Lake Forest Elementary
Creative, Dedicated, Passionate, Caring, Innovative, Motivated,Resourceful & Determined do not even begin to describe Peggy Aungst! It would an honor to nominate my amazing colleague PeggyAungst for Top Teacher- with complete confidence and pride!!Peggy is a problem solver, innovator, and dynamic member of our staff! She has a passion for teaching and is always growing her practices! She is always current with the latest instructional strategies andtechnologies. Peggy attends professional developments regularly – and enjoys collaborating with other teachers. Peggy goes above and beyond.Peggy is humble and does not work for accolades. She truly has her students best interests and needs at heart. She is professional, sets high expectations, creates and maintains relationships with her students, families, & colleagues. In her classroom you will see innovative, engaging practices. Students are reading and applying what they learn – they are excited to learn with Mrs. Aungst. She uses resources to bring Virtual Reality and Guest Speakers! Her classroom always is an exciting place to learn! Parents are a part of her classroom and enjoy participating in her classroom activities. She thrives to differentiate, for her students to love reading, and respect one another! She teaches empathy and creates a balance. Students are safe, happy, and loved! Students show growth and enjoy learning!This past year, Peggy was an integral part of bring a state of the art Innovation Lab to our campus, in less than 9 weeks! From Proposal to Funding, to Setup, and Opening- Peggy made it happen! An exciting professional development with colleagues was the icing on the cake! Peggy is a dynamic member of our staff and community! She is inspiring, caring and approachable! If that isn’t amazing she also has brought Robotics to our site, funding and planning our Robotics Program. Peggy is self-less, humble and volunteers her time without any hesitation. Peggy conducts professional development, has served on Leadership, and School Site Council, is a Mentor Teacher, and more! Peggy goes above and beyond within her classroom and beyond! Peggy Aungst is without a doubt a Top Teacher!
Nominated by Raniah Crail
Mandy Ballesteros
Olive Elementary
Mrs. Ballesteros has worked over the past 20 years at Olive Elementary to make sure her students’ needs are met academically and socially. She will always make sure they get what they need to become successful inside and outside of the classroom.Through the years, she has begun to implement a Social Emotional program called “Time to SELebrate”. She created it with her students in mind. It has allowed her students and many others in her school to become more successful socially. They are able to better express themselves and have been able to create a growth mindset way of thinking. This type of teaching will help these students years after they leave her classroom and the school.We are all very fortunate to have Mrs. Ballesteros a part of the school, each and everyday.
Nominated by Betsy Leichtfuss
Kelly Barreira
Truman Benedict Elementary School
I was quite nervous about sending my firstborn to public school for the first time. Mrs. Barreira, her kindergarten teacher, COMPLETELY dashed all my worries I had about a public school education. Kelly Barreira is THE most caring, loving, and effective teacher I could have ever hoped for. She is a parent’s dream of everything a parent could want in a teacher for her child: she is cheerful, energetic, encouraging, and upbeat; she loves her students fiercely; she is strongly convicted in her vocation as a teacher – she will shed tears when talking about her love of her pupils and for teaching, and these are GENIUNE tears! For Mother’s Day, she THANK US mothers for the job WE are doing with our kids with a heartfelt speech, a few tears and a homemade, organic, heavenly breakfast. We mothers were sitting in tears ourselves because we all recognized how blessed we are to have this wonderful educator teaching our children for six hours each day; we also felt ridiculous for having this selfless woman praising US when she puts in countless hours of dedicated service, both in and out of the classroom, for our kids! Mrs. Barreira loves every child like her own, and always greets every parent warmly. My child learned quickly to read and grasp new mathematics concepts in her class.Mrs. Barreira is a gem to our school and the world, and I hope she gets the recognition she deserves after teaching for so many years! Thank you, Mrs. Barreira!
Nominated by PatriciaHenry
Sarah Benson
Laguna Beach High School
Mrs. Benson & Mr. Brobeck have been essential in spreading the idea of writing across the curriculum at Laguna Beach HS.They have taken the time to engage ALL teachers in conversations about their writing practice and identifying student supports, tips and tricks to better writing.They have engages students in the conversation too by training and supporting older students in helping critique and give meaningful feedback to younger writers.I am proud to be the principal of 2 amazing educators that have taken the time to lay an amazing foundation that will create a lasting legacy in the value of writing for LBHS students.
Nominated by Jason Allemann
Eti Bezalel
TVT
Eti Bezalel is an outstanding primary grade educator. Walk into her classroom and you will see children dancing, singing, and loving learning language. She is positive, warm, and passionate about her children and their families. She makes each learning experience exciting and engaging. Eti has children learning another language within months of being in her classroom. Parents often talk about their child singing in the grocery store or dancing a new dance that they learned as part of her language instruction. Her passion for teaching children is contagious, not only within her own classroom, but within the community she serves and with her colleagues. She is an eternal optimist and believes every child can and will learn and makes it happen!
Nominated by Michelle Bernat
Cindy Billy
Truman Benedict Elementary School
When we first started at this school Mrs billy went out of her way to make sure we were fitting in and having a smooth transition from our other elementary school. She truly cared about my son and me which no teacher has ever gone above and beyond before. It was nice to know my sons teacher didn’t just teach but actually cares about her students and their lives. I wish all teachers were like her.
Nominated by Ariana Sarasua
Alexandra Bishop
Sunset Lane Elementary School
Always smiling. Engaging. Exciting. Creative. Freedom to explore. Fun! These are just a few words and phrases that describe Ms. Bishop. She teaches 3rd grade GATE class and she is an incredible teacher. When people think of GATE, they might think of stodgy monotone teachers with outdated lesson plans that cannot grab the students’ interests. This is definitely not the case with Ms. Bishop. She understands how fast the world is changing and how technology plays a huge part in our lives and in the future. While teaching the required curriculum at a faster pace, she still makes sure that the students are thriving mentally, emotionally, and physically. She gives students the freedom to work on projects and to explore their passion. She makes her classroom inviting and comfortable by making sure students have the supplies that are needed to do work, make sure there are comfy pillows in the reading area, and creating a fun and engaging atmosphere to learn. She treats her students with respect and runs her class like a partnership rather than a teacher barking orders. This teaching method as well as her passion for teaching and the creative ideas that she has, really captures the students’ interests and gets them involved. I am so grateful that my son was able to experience the magic of Ms. Bishop and grew stronger academically, mentally, and emotionally. There are teachers and there are incredible teachers, such as Ms. Bishop, who really bring sunshine into the classroom and into the minds of our kids.
Nominated by Jenny Apostol
Regina Bork
ST EDWARD Parish School
Mrs. Bork is an engaging and caring teacher. She conducts herself in a very respectful manner. Alll of her students respect and care for her. She is passionate about her subject matter and thus her students become passionate about the subject matter as well. She displays a vested interest in all of her learners.
Nominated by Tracey Pringle
Regina Bork is not only a brilliant scientist, but also a kind, compassionate, intuitive, teacher. She is strict and asks a lot from her students, but she is also devoted to helping every child in her class realize his or her limitless potential. While Mrs. Bork’s passion for science is extremely infectious, I think it’s her love for teaching that gives her an edge with students. She is extremely relatable, engages students by asking questions and making them think outside the box, teaches complicated STEM concepts in a very straightforward way, and is dedicated to her craft, constantly coming up with new and creative ways to illustrate lessons. This includes assigning dissections and labs where students do such things as make felt and extract DNA from a strawberry! While Mrs. Bork demands a lot from her students, she also gives a lot in return. She is very approachable, encourages questions and is readily available for extra help. Furthermore, Mrs. Bork sees unlimited potential in each and every one of her learners. She expects that all her students will succeed in her classroom, and she never gives up on anyone. We have seen this first hand with both our children. After transferring to St. Edward’s in the middle of 7th grade, my daughter was far behind in science. However, with Mrs. Bork’s help she not only caught up with her peers, she achieved an A in the class. Likewise, in the middle of our son’s 7th grade year Mrs. Bork noticed that something was off: unbeknownst to us, a new seizure medication was making it hard for him to concentrate in class. While some teachers had written him off as unmotivated, Mrs. Bork refused to let him fail. She helped him get back on track not just in STEM, but in all subjects. Then, after his STAR math scores fell last spring, she dedicated much of her summer to helping him get caught up in math. After just four months working with Mrs. Bork in math, my son’s STAR results went from the 19th to the 79th percentile!Our family has seen Mrs. Bork’s dedication first hand, but we are not alone. I have spoken to many families with stories similar to ours—families who, like us, adore Mrs. Bork. I truly cannot think of anyone more deserving of a Top Teacher of Orange County Award!
Nominated by Rebecca Yaghi
Anne Brasie
Circle View Elementary
Anne Brasie is the epitome of an outstanding educator. Her enthusiasm for learning has never waned in her 23 years of teaching. She molds 3rd graders into independent thinkers and cooperative learners and she helps children dig deep and develop skills that create a solid foundation for educational success. Mrs. Brasie provides a rigorous and high quality education to all of her students.She is the heart of Circle View’s 3rd grade GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) program. She spends countless hours creating engaging, innovative activities and strategies that meet the unique needs of a GATE student. At any time, you can enter her classroom and find her students actively engaged in learning and there is always a buzz of excitement in the room. She shapes young minds with such a huge heart and academic rigor that her students excel and thrive in her class and in their continued education.In addition to teaching, Mrs. Brasie is always looking for ways to support her students and bring as much innovation as she can into her classroom. She frequently incorporates STEM (science, engineering, technology, and math) based-learning with her students and writes grants to obtain materials that can be used to enhance classroom learning.She works tirelessly, not only for her own classroom but for the entire school and school district as well. Mrs. Brasie has planned and organized school-wide STEM Days so that every student at Circle View, regardless ofgrade level or program, can benefit from all the supplies and materials she has obtained on her own. Mrs. Brasie is a team player and her presence at Circle View is respected and embraced by all. Mrs. Brasie is Circle View’s GATE Program Coordinator. She supports all teachers and over 200 GATE students, ensuring that they have an education filled with acceleration, depth, complexity, and novelty. She leads the way in teaching strategies that work best with gifted students, presenting and sharing from conferences she attends. She meets regularly with district office administration, sharing her passion for teaching as well as her knowledge in statistics and educational strategies. Mrs. Brasie exemplifies what it means to be a dedicated, creative, enthusiastic, hardworking, and professional educator. Her excitement about teaching is contagious and her drive to make academics fun and challenging is exceptional.
Nominated by Trish Montgomery
Elizabeth Bredfeldt
W.R. Nelson Elementary School
Although this is Elizabeth’s first year at Nelson, she has been an Autism teacher for over nine years. Currently, she works with our youngest special education students (Transitional Kindergarten – Grade 1) and is often a parent’s first contact when a child entering school is diagnosed with a disability. Elizabeth is amazing! She sets the tone for a child’s educational future and manages parental expectations. She understands that education is a team endeavor and makes every effort to collaborate with the parents, classroom teachers, and other support staff in order to ensure each child’s needs are met. When dealing with young children facing Autism, it is Elizabeth’s responsibility to establish an “individualized education program” for each child. The IEP lays out a specific plan aimed at helping the student attain certain goals. Through these IEPs, she sets high expectations for her students.The message that she sends to the parents and the children is that her students are capable and that there is hope for their futures. She cares deeply about her students and it shows in her every day interactions with them.Elizabeth is such a patient, kind soul. Watching her work individually with her students or in small groups, is like watching a magician at work. She is passionate about inclusion and continues to work with her general education colleagues on ways to mainstream her students. Twice a week, Elizabeth leads general education students and her students in art, cooking, yoga, and physical education activities. This inclusion opportunity is teaching our students compassion, empathy, patience, and giving them all a sense community. Elizabeth sees the good in everything. Her optimism, expression of joy, and her gentle spirit have added so much to both our school and to her students.
Nominated by Shannon James-Olsen
Dave Brenner
Red Hill Lutheran School
Mr. Brenner is a favorite among the 6th grade students at Red Hill Lutheran.He is known as “The Beast.”When I attended Back to School Night I wish that I would have had him as a History teacher.He begins every morning showing the students some sort of fact or important event in history that actually happened on that day in the past.My son absolutely loves attending his class and has learned so much about Ancient Civilization.Mr. Brenner is energetic and enthusiastic about the subject.My son does not have a problem reading the assigned homework in his textbook every night.He actually has learned such a great deal and has become interested in the subject.Mr. Brenner is definitely a worthy candidate for being selected for Teacher of the Year.
Nominated by Tracy Camarano
Mr. Dave Brenner has been my daughter’s homeroom teacher in 4th grade, 6th grade Bible teacher, and 7th and 8th grade History teacher.All throughout Mr. Brenner has always shown kindnessand patience with my daughter, and I believe the rest of his students.He is very knowledgeable in what he does. He is not just a great teacher, but a wonderful person as well.My daughter is blessed to be taught by an amazing teacher
Nominated by Dianne Imperial
Sara Bridgman
Red Hill Lutheran School
Innovative, resourceful, impactful: Three of many words that can describe Sara Bridgman, RHLS teacher. Through her multiple certifications (STEAM, Peer Assistance Leadership, 3-D Print Educator), Sara demonstrates her desire for continual improvement as an educator that leads to transformational student learningInnovative: Sara leads and equips students for 21st Century Learning. She single-handedly developed the middle school STEAM program, collaborating with content teachers to enrich academic standards. During a study of the Middle Ages in history and language arts, STEAM students built giant trebuchets that catapulted flying objects across the playground. They also participated in the National Geographic GeoChallenge, where she led them through the Project-Based Learning experience of “Tackling Plastic,” providing students with authentic problems to which they designed meaningful solutions with global impact. Sara is a role model as a female STEAM teacher and actively promotes Girls for STEAM, recognizing women in these fields and encouraging her students through activities related to Women’s History Month. Resourceful: Sara has sought many outside resources to enhance her learning program. Her students are given numerous opportunities to interact with people in the fields of science and engineering through field trips to an oil refinery, video chat interviews, and career speakers during her “Lunch and Learn” seminars. She also utilizes community partnerships in her work with the UCI Science Olympiad Team. Through her resourcefulness, she researched and implemented the use of 3-D printing in education, ultimately implementing a 3-D Printing summer program and elective class, allowing students to utilize the engineering and design process through CAD modeling. Impactful: The impact Sara has on students, the school, and the community is unrivaled, and this is due to her commitment to developing students not only academically, but also their character. This year, Sara has developed a Digital Citizenship program where middle school students learn important skills and teach them to younger students. As student body advisor, she led students through an award-winning anti-bullying campaign and supported numerous philanthropic causes. Her class is working on biomedical engineering, creating prosthetic hands that will be sent to kids in need around the world. She developed the schoolwide Faith Family program, focusing on international needs and promoting school relationships. Sara demonstrated outstanding love of others by being a foster parent, ultimately adopting two children. This heart for others overflows to all of her students, having a significant impact on their development as learners and as people.
Nominated by Paul Marquardt
Dave Brobeck
Laguna Beach High School
Mrs. Benson & Mr. Brobeck have been essential in spreading the idea of writing across the curriculum at Laguna Beach HS.They have taken the time to engage ALL teachers in conversations about their writing practice and identifying student supports, tips and tricks to better writing.They have engages students in the conversation too by training and supporting older students in helping critique and give meaningful feedback to younger writers.I am proud to be the principal of 2 amazing educators that have taken the time to lay an amazing foundation that will create a lasting legacy in the value of writing for LBHS students.
Nominated by Jason Allemann
Misty Burt
La Habra High School
Ms. Burt started at La Habra High in 2001, and to say she has been a major influence would be greatly understating her impact.Ms. Burt epitomizes the reasons so many enter this profession: to share a passion for content, to support student academic and personal growth, and to make a difference in the future of our society.Ms. Burt teaches AP Human Geography and AP Psychology, and has taught a variety of social science courses throughout her tenure at LHHS.She is amazing in the classroom: her lessons are engaging, interesting, and relevant.What puts Ms. Burt in a different category is her rapport with students.Ms. Burt is straightforward and direct in her communications; she is the first to admit that she will “tell it like it is”.Our students respond overwhelmingly to this approach.They share that they appreciate that she treats with them respect and honesty.Her ability to balance her candid approach with compassion reaches students in a way unique to Ms. Burt, and a benefit to our school community.Ms. Burt has served as a Student Intervention Case Manager, meeting with students on a regular basis to check in on grades, attendance, and overall well-being.She is on our School Site Council, meeting monthly with key stakeholders to invest in the betterment of our school community.Ms. Burt has been a strong advocate for our student School Site Council members – frequently encouraging them to identify concerns to increase safety and/or school culture.Ms. Burt advises students that this is their school, and they are in a unique position to affect change.Ms. Burt also offers an after school “homework club”, opening her room to students (whether or not they are in her classes) for help or a safe place to work between the end of the school day and home.Ms. Burt also organizes a “lunch bunch” in conjunction with her colleagues, which provides a welcoming location `for students new to the school, those who may not have a strong social network, or are otherwise in need of a place to feel they belong.She has board games available, and makes sure every student feels welcome and important.Because that is the core of Misty Burt – every student is important.Every student is worth the investment of her time, heart, and soul, and every student benefits from their interactions with Ms. Burt.
Nominated by Keri Kimes
Alison Chin
Tarbut V’Torah
We have had the pleasure of having Alison Chin teach our daughter last year in 3rd grade, and now have the honor of having our son in her class. With two very different kids in her class, we have seen the absolute brilliance of Miss Chin in action. She is the most upbeat, energetic, bright force of positive energy we have ever encountered in a teacher. Her warmth and compassion are unparalleled— she has shown immense dedication and kindness to each and every student in her class. Miss Chin gets to know each student as a whole child, and teaches them in a way that individualized their learning and encourages their growth. She understands their academic, social, and emotional strengths and challenges— and bolsters the former, while helping them recognize and overcome the latter. Miss Chin is constantly encouraging a growth mindset — she believes every child has unlimited potential, and works to instill this belief in all of her students. Alison Chin is one of the most hard working and dedicated teachers we have had the privilege to teach our kids. Her communication and collaboration with parents and others is extraordinary — she responds to emails (even over the weekends!), and is always willing to do whatever she can to help any child in her class. She is currently actively partnering with an occupational therapist and a speech therapist to provide our son the best opportunity to enhance his social and language skills. Not only does Miss Chin work with others to help the growth and development of the whole child, she spends her own time to recognize and participate in their accomplishments: Last year, Miss Chin not only praised our daughter’s work in musical theater, she went on her own time outside of school to attend her performance, in the evening, on a weekend, quite a distance from the school. Alison Chin has a deep understanding of the kids in her class, what they need, how to encourage their learning, growth, development, and above all, to help each one along their journeys. She inspires not only a love or learning, but a sense of wellbeing, and being cared for — which is the best feeling you could hope for your child to have at school. Both of my kids have said Miss Chin is their all-time favorite teacher, and she is incredibly deserving of recognition and gratitude.
Nominated by Britton Arey
JennyChun
Sunset lane elementary
Mrs. Chun is probably the most caring, involved, patient, thoughtful teacher I’ve met since my daughter started school. She engages her students with empathy, respect and patient. My daughter has truly loved going to school everyday because of Mrs. Chun and we are so grateful to have her!!
Nominated by sydney Maughan
Kathy Cobb-Woll
Santa Ana High School
Kathy Cobb-Woll is one of the most dedicated teachers I have ever known.She works tirelessly for our students at Santa Ana High School.Our students generally come to her with little or no singing experience as 9th graders, and by the time they are seniors, they are winning competitions, performing at Carnegie Hall (an honor our choir has earned at least four times over the past few years) and pursuing careers in music at some of the most respected institutions in the country.Drive by Santa Ana High School at any hour of the day or weekend and you will likely spot her car.She is in it 100% for the students.She constantly gives personally to see that her students get private voice lessons, school supplies, and everything they need to be successful.She is the definition of selfless. There exists a generation of music lovers in and around Santa Ana that first learned their love of music in her class. And there are hundreds more that learned how to work in harmony with others, learned how to commit to a project, work as a team, stand confidently before others and use their voice.There is a generation of human beings that are better people because they had the good fortune to have her as their teacher.
Nominated by Terry Schwinge
Leslie Coleman
Homeschool
Well here is a nomination not like any others. I am nominating myself. That’s right. I homeschool my special needs teen son. It’s a challenge and I’m learning and growing alongside my boy. Homeschool parents/teachers are hugely overlooked for things like this and it shouldn’t be that way. At all.The challenges and work it takes to be a teacher and mother at the same time is astronomical. But I do it. Daily. With love and grace. My son and I are a great team.For future similar contests maybe including the hugely growing homeschool community would be fair. Have a great day y’all!
Nominated by Leslie Coleman
Kristen Curtis
Jim Thorpe Fundamental
Ms. Curtis is a very special teacher. She inspire every student in a different way regardless the student level, and make them use their best potential.Trying to describe her in words is very difficult because is never easy to explain how can a person be kind, sweet and gentle but at the same time serious and strict. Her passion and vocation inspire no just her assiduous students but also the ones that have more challenges learning, and thanks to her patience and her perseverance they know they on their way of becoming better students. It really a talent to make kids see difficult things in a easy way, that they can understand and feel they can do it on their own. Her methods are always designs to help her students become responsible, respectful and kind. Every day she shows love and dedication to all her students and make them know how important they are for her. Today, that we can see things changing in the education system is very comforting see a teacher like Ms. Curtis who don’t hesitate to pay school supplies out of her own pocket to provide equality for all of her students. She doesn’t treat her students just like kids yet our next generation ofprofessionals, because she knows that in her hands are the futures doctors, lawyers, senators or presidents of this beautiful nation. However, I think that whenever we find teachers like Ms. Curtis that are capable to make every kid dream about a good future regardeless the hardships they can be facing at home our nation will continue to be bless and we will always have hope. God bless America and all the teachers that contribute to build beautiful minds!!
Nominated by Gregoria Hart
Caroline deMarco
vista del mar
She helped our son go from reading almost nothing to reading at a level above. She is so sweet and had handled adversity with strength and grace. She sincerely loves her students and is a master at her craft.
Nominated by Alicia Gousis
AmyDiaz
Del Lago Elementary
She’s absolutely amazing, patient, there is just something about her that has made this year amazing. She’s kind, her soul is so sweet, her heart is made of gold, and she is absolutely just the best person. She has helped my son reach a goal and go above that goal within a short time frame. She’s an angel
Nominated by MelodyCurtis
KellyDietz
St. John’s Episcopal School
Ms. Dietz is an absolute gem as a teacher, coach, leader, and coworker.In just three years at St. John’s, she has become one of our most valued employees.She draws upon her experiences as a National Champion NCAA volleyball player (Northwestern U.) to coach all of our students in our PE program– and she does so at every age level, engaging 2-year-olds in gross motor development and doing OT evals of our youngest learners, all the way to working with the emergent social dynamics of Middle School students.Additionally, she coaches after-school teams, always focused on teamwork, sportsmanship, and growth, rather than wins and losses.In what can be a hyper-competitive landscape of OC sports, Ms. Dietz is a true educator at heart, always keeping student-athlete’s character at the center of her efforts and a healthy balance for students, parents, officials, and administration.She has completely revamped our PE program to encapsulate student wellness, created new opportunities for students at our youngest ages, the Rising Cardinals Program, and been an invaluable leader amongst our talented faculty.I’ve worked in education for nearly twenty years, and Ms. Dietz is, without a doubt, one of the best teachers I’ve come across.She’s a leader, a favorite among our students, a kind soul, and the future of what student wellness and athletic education can and should be.On top of it all, she’s a tremendous mother, with her daughter, Bowie, in our infant classroom in the St. John’s Early Childhood Center.On a campus with many great teachers, Ms. Dietz stands out as the paradigm of what we hope for all of our teachers, particularly outside of the realm of traditional academic disciplines.She has our highest recommendation, without reservation.Please contact me with any questions or for additional insight.
Nominated by Patrick McHonett
Sandi Dimick
La Habra High School
Sandi Dimick has been at La Habra for six years, continuing an extensive career of public service.As Principal’s Secretary, she is the face of the front office, and sets the tone for our school culture.Through Sandi’s efforts and personality, our school presents a warm welcome and a sense of community.Sandi is the first to arrive each day, and often the last to leave, and the hours in between are filled with endless patience and nurture for staff, students, and families.The answer to any question at La Habra can be answered with “Let’s ask Sandi”.Sandi also shares her joy in life with others.An avid runner and athlete, Sandi has taken on coaching our girls’ tennis team.Through this, she positively influences many of our students and families, and has provided opportunities for student involvement crucial to their academic, athletic, and social-emotional success as Highlanders.As families come to our school, Sandi greets each with a smile, a warm welcome, and a determination to find the answers or support they seek.If the community defines a school’s interactions, then having Sandi as the first contact ensures our continued success and positive reputation.At the core of Sandi is a strong heart determined to make the lives of her Highlander Clan easier.Sandi never says no to a request.When faced with a seemingly insurmountable challenge, she cheerily replies “Wonderful, let’s make that happen!”.Sandi understands that a school is more than an institution: it is a family.Within our La Habra High community, Sandi is dedicated to ensuring each of us feels valued, welcome, and loved.
Nominated by Keri Kimes
Phil Duerr
Salem Lutheran School
I am writing this about Mr. Duerr, as an Admissions Director, but also as his previous student. I had the privilege of having Mr. Duerr as my 7th grade teacher in 1989. He was and is STILL my favorite teacher of all time. I was so lucky to have him for my teacher and then getting to teach alongside him, and now getting to take prospective families by his classroom. Both of my daughters also had Mr. Duerr and he is also their favorite teacher! He is a phenomenal teacher and actively teaches his students! His energy, love and passion for math and teaching show in his everyday lessons. He is able to build relationships with his students and teach them in a way that makes them want to learn. Mr. Duerr is also a vital part of our STEM program here at Salem. He has done an amazing job incorporating robotics, 3D Printing and coding within our junior high. He also has started an elective class called Myth busters that all the kids are super excited to take. He goes above and beyond in his teaching and that shows in test scores but more importantly, it shows in his relationships with his students. I remember being in his class and being so excited to talk to him at recess! Today, I see students that are hanging around him at recess because they want to and because he makes them feel important. He has not changed since I had him as a teacher, students adore him and love learning from him! He is definitely a blessing to our school and to me!
Nominated by Kasey Weinrich
Danielle Dunn
Saddleback Valley Christian
Danielle is an amazing English teacher that loves her students. She teachers our AP and Honors English courses and does a great job challenging students to think from a larger perspective, to communicate with respect and write with integrity. Our alumni regularly comment that her classes made their college classes look easy. She is a champion for students and always pushes them to become the best they are capable of becoming.Danielle always volunteers as a Class Adviser for our ASB. She meets with the class on a regular basis to plan Homecoming, dances, activities etc… which she also chaperones those events. She is invested in her students both inside and outside the classroom. With all this, she still finds time to coach one of our girls basketball teams.She does a great job and is always a supporter of what we do in our high school.
Nominated by Rod Markum
Melinda Emery
Ladera Ranch Elementary School
She is very kind and smart.I never liked math but she made it fun! She doesn’t assign that much homework.She does spheros with us almost every day.She is one of my favorite teachers.
Nominated by Danika Patrick
Vicki Fairchild
Castille Elementry
Mrs. Fairchild is so sweet and kind to my daughter. We really appreciate her and all she does for her classrooom.
Nominated by Michelle Murkey
Lucy Fiorenza
Ambuehl elementary
I am nominating Mrs. Fiorenza in order to more fully express the deep gratitude, appreciation and admiration we have for her and the enormous impact she has had on our daughter’s life both educationally and emotionally. My daughter Annie had the amazing privilege of having Lucy for Kindergarten, as well as 4th and 5th grades. We had just moved across the countrywhen she started kindergarten and Annie cried the first 2 weeks. But Lucy was kind, patient and took the time to get to know Annie as an individual child and helped her to LOVE school. Annie was reading at a 2nd grade level and Lucy challenged her as needed, encouraged and stretched her. She started Annie off on an incredible path of learning. Annie developed some issues with anxiety and mild ocd as she got older and during 4th and 5th grades, Lucy taught coping strategies like mindfulness to help Annie stay calm, to not be so hard on herself and to rise beyond the affects of anxiety to help others, perform and reach the highest academic honors. Lucy encouraged Annie’s creativity, her writing and challenged her high level of both math and reading skills. Lucy shared personal stories of her early years in Cuba, the passing of her father and funny things about her cats with her student and they connected with her on so many levels. She teaches each child as an individual, loves them and devotes way more than just her time to her students. Her students adore her feel cared about and that the sky is the limit when they leave her classroom. My daughter, now a 6th grader in Middle school chooses to return each week and use her “late start” Tuesday morning time to assist Lucy in her 5th grade classroom. Where she continues to feel of Lucy’s care and interest in her, and learns from her as well. They’ve developed a friendship that will last a lifetime. And Annie has even talked about becoming a teacher when she grows up because of the significant impact Lucy has had on her life….in every aspect, beyond just that of education. We would love for Mrs. Fiorenza to understand what her influence and abilities have had on our daughter and the immense gratitude we feel. We couldn’t have hand picked a more wonderful teacher for our Annie. We love you Lucy!!!
Nominated by Meagan Gilmore
MichaelFisk
Tustin High School
Mr. Fisk is passionate about both his music and his students. When I arrived 3 years ago, there were barely fifty students in the band, and 26 of those were freshman. This year, there are over 70, and we are projected to be close to 90 next year. The growth is attributed to his hard work with not only developing our Tustin High School program, but his efforts to grow the middle school feeder programs as well. Mr. Fisk works tirelessly during school, after school and on the weekends to develop his students into not just excellent performers, but quality citizens and students as well. The time he dedicates to both practice and performances is extensive, including parades, football games and competitions. The amount of organization to move and organize the many parent volunteers and band members to competitions is logistically impressive and an all day proposition. Over the past three years, I have watched the band become increasingly more precise and professional with their performances. Students are not only learning music, but they are learning what it means to work collaboratively for a common goal. In the last few years, Mr. Fisk has found a way to purchase many large instruments which allows students an opportunity to create robust sounds. The number of students participating in his band who come from economically challenged backgrounds is nothing short of inspirational. He treats all his students with respect and value, and students have developed a close family type connection among the band community. With all the emphasis on challenging students and helping them grow into solid young people, it is not lost that he has an incredible musical background and expertise. We are blessed to have such a committed teacher who passionately serves to grow our students in their ability to play music and do life. Many of his students have gone on to college to learn music. Some of those desire to teacher music and impact students just like they were impacted as a student. Every high school has a band teacher, but few have someone as committed to doing whatever it takes to foster growth and excellence in both their music and their character.
Nominated by Jon Tuin
Karen Foster
STS. SIMON & JUDE SCHOOL
Our Coach Karen (Foster) is truly an angel among educators. Karen graduated from Sts. Simon & Jude School in 1974 and returned in 1980 to begin coaching and teaching. Her importance to the school goes well beyond the titles of her career (Coach, PE Teacher, Safety Director, and Stand-In Administrator). When the Principal and Vice Principal are off campus, she is the one trusted to keep the community safe and secure. She knows every single one of our students and faculty members. She knows their stories and exactly how to help exactly when they need it. One does not need to ask Coach Karen for help, as she can sense what you need sometimes before you do. She has supported multiple families through cancer treatments, death in a family, divorce, etc. She also takes wonderful care of our students with learning differences, making them feel valued and worthy. She is also brilliant artist and the school is filled with her colorful renderings. You would be hard pressed to find an alum who doesn’t remember her with great fondness and love. She sees others in a way that few people do and that takes her teaching and coaching far past those in her field. We are beyond blessed to have Coach Karen as a guiding light in the SSJ Family!
Nominated by Colette Obannion
Shane Fowler
San Joaquin Elementary School
Mr. Fowler’s prowess for STEAM instructions shines through when he connects our mathematics curriculum with STEAM challenges he designs.Working in collaborative groups he guides his 6th grade students at San Joaquin Elementary School, through the engineering process and has them create “Rocket Powered” cars.Students have to construct these cars using a preset list of materials and then test their results.As they apply the scientific principles of testing hypotheses, they test their mathematical reason by applying formulas for velocity, and much more.But, preparing students for their academic careers isn’t his only focus.He wants to make sure he focuses on the whole child, and therefore has them start their day with stretching and mental exercises to increase their attentiveness and decrease their anxiety.He has also created restorative circles where he assisted students with navigating negative issues that her hindering their academic and behavioral success.Mr. Fowler is truly a person who continually adds positively impactful experiences to our students.
Nominated by David Shun
Tracey Frank Pringle
Club Literacy
Miss Tracey makes learning to read so much fun for kids and parents. Her approach is based in great teaching methodology, she uses humor, arts, and even cooking to bring fun to the task and students are always excited to be part of her class. Our daughter began with her at 4 (she is 5) and has lovely writing and enjoys reading at home, writing notes to friends and regularly asks “when is the next books and cooks class?” Tracey is a gem and I have recommended her so often I’ve lost count. She really is a star teacher!
Nominated by Christina Crerar
I am honored and pleased to nominate Tracey Frank as a Top Teacher of Orange County. I have known Tracey as a teacher at Lincoln School in Newport Beach, CA and for many more years as lead teacher and creator of Club Literacy Learning Center in Dana Point. Club Literacy is the brainchild of Ms Frank.It encompasses the latest proven research on reading and writing methods, child development and award winning, age appropriate children’s literature. Ms. Frank incorporates art and oral language skills into all aspects of the curriculum. Tracey Frank possesses all the attributes necessary to be a master teacher and displays them in all her interactions with children and their parents. She is knowledgeable, professional, creative, energetic, inclusive, warm and welcoming to all children.I have firsthand knowledge of Tracey’s talents through observing her classes, assisting in her classes and substituting when needed. My two grandchildren who have attended Club Literacy beginning in preschool through most of grade school have excelled in their regular classrooms. I attribute a great deal of their success to the enrichment classes and summer camps at Club Literacy with Ms. Frank.In addition to all Tracey’s hard work in her teaching position, she takes the time to attend workshops, lectures, speech and language national conferences as well as International Literacy Association conference. She also coordinates an exciting program for her children’s school. The program, Lift Off For Literacy, gives away many books to children and offers incentives to read at all levels. Each year she brings a writer of children’s books to the school to visit and encourage readers. This year’s author was Brian Lies, 2019 Caldecott winner for his book, The Rough Patch. All of these activities add to Tracey’s knowledge, expertise and strategies for helping children become life long learners. I can not imagine a more deserving person to be a Top Teacher of Orange County.Thank you for recognizing these fine educators.
Nominated by Markie Pringle
CynthiaFrasier
Fairmont Private Schools
Coworker 1-Cynthia is veteran teacher and mentor.She is patient, loving and kind to her first graders.Cynthia arrives early and stays late in the evening each day to create amazing lessons for her class.Shehas mentored many teachers giving them her “expertise” and valuable experience she has to offer.Cynthia has an amazing amount of understanding and patience for her students and they adore her.She creates new experiences and lessons throughout the school year, and she is a team player.Cynthia has been at Fairmont School for many years and is invaluable to all. Coworker 2I believe Mrs. Cynthia Fraser should be considered for the Top Teacher Award. Mrs. Fraser has dedicated her life to bettering her students and creating quality relationships with the families of her students. She spends countless hours, even on the weekend,going over data and academic outcomes so she can better understand her students’ needs. Even though she has been teaching for 30 plus years, she uses the latest technology to enhance her students’ learning and her teaching strategies. She uses centers to create a differentiated learning environment for Reading and my first grade daughter, who is in her class, loves them so much, she made some of her own athome. She is the epitome of professionalism and a mentor teacher that less experienced teachers can go to for advice. The reason I most believe Mrs. Fraser is deserving of this award is because she is always the first one at school and always the last one to leave. If that is not dedication, then I don’t know what is. Thank you for considering Mrs. Cynthia Fraser for this award.
Nominated by Kellie Cameron
AggieFreeman
Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Mrs. Freeman has been teaching our Math students with identified learning disabilities for more than ten years now. She has been responsible for writing curriculum, training fellow teachers, and most significantly making math accessible for students who struggle to learn. She consistently reaches students who fear math, have low self confidence, and severe anxiety. She routinely differentiates her instruction, creates custom lessons, and incorporates non-traditional formats to create the best learning environment for her students. Mrs. Freeman has infinite patience, she is generous with her time and uses humor to keep the class relaxed and comfortable. She takes time outside of her assigned classes to meet with kids during her off periods. She tutors students one on one without compensation. Personally, she and her husband have one son and love to spend time in their 4 wheel drive Jeep with their dogs. She is passionate about Santa Margarita and the students entrusted to her. We are very fortunate to have Mrs. Freeman reaching our students who need it most in this often fast paced, high pressure academic setting. Our school would not be the same without her.
Nominated by JohnHayek
JessicaGasser
Grace Christian School
She is an enthusiastic, loving and well rounded teacher who is always so nice and welcoming to all. She is a great educator in class while still remaining loving and patient with the students. Her first year teaching at our school she took charge of our school summer program (Camp Oasis) and made it the premier summer program in our area. She made so many improvement, from the curriculum to the sign up and sign in system. She has always been there to answer all and any questions even after my daughter was no longer in her class. Everyone in the school loves her! We would all love to see her being recognized for all her hard work.
Nominated by Monica Villa
Julia Gerfin
Capistrano Home/Virtual School
Julia Gerfin is a School Hero due to her dedication to the students, families, and staff members over the past 32 years in the Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD). I have worked as a principal with Ms. Gerfin at three school sites in CUSD, including two K-5 traditional school sites and a K-8 home/virtual school site. She never ceases to amaze me with her School Hero attitude of believing in academic and social growth for all students, while working with staff members and parents to improve the learning environment for everyone. Ms. Gerfin currently teaches at K-8 Capistrano Home/Virtual School (CHVS) in CUSD.A School Hero goes above and beyond without any recognition or fanfare. In fact, when I told Ms. Gerfin that I would like to nominate her as a School Hero through Parenting OC magazine, she really did not want any attention drawn to her. After some convincing, she agreed, since she has the School Super Hero strength of humility.As a Teaching Assistant Principal (TAP), Ms. Gerfin’s School Super Hero strength is having effective interactions with all staff members, students, and parents. She has the tough conversations that need to take place to help students improve while creating documents that help a school stay in compliance. We have a range of students at our home/virtual school and some suffer from anxiety. Ms. Gerfin is there to assist families so that students can feel confident and successful.Ms. Gerfin conducts every weekly Preview meeting for potential new students and parents at CHVS. She also meets with every parent and student during the next phase after each Preview, which is an Orientation. Her School Super Hero strength of having the creativity and stamina to do a presentation, answer parent and student questions, and conduct a school tour each week helps reassure parents and students they made the right decision to attend CHVS.Ms. Gerfin is the “voice” of the staff during PTSA meetings as the Teacher Liaison. She is not afraid to share information that will benefit the entire school, which is the School Super Hero strength of boldness. Ms. Gerfin also provides sound advice on Excursions for CHVS families.Ms. Gerfin’s School Super Hero strength of creating curriculum guides based on district adopted textbooks and materials for parents to use at home for their CHVS children has allowed our changing families to thrive in a home/virtual school environment.
Nominated by CurtVisca
Steven Gertsen
Calvary Christian School
Mr. Gertsen inspires, empowers and nurtures his students and fellow teachers. He is a leader and mentor in middle school and is highly regarded as an educator of excellence by his peers. Mr. Gertsen has created a classroom that exemplifies a passion for history and truth. He challenges students to think critically through the intentional use of storytelling and historical artifacts which develop increased student interest, and a sense of relevancy.Mr. Steve Gertsen is celebrating his 21st year as a history teacher and he is the type of teacher that students remember 10 years down the road. He places the highest value on his relationships with his students. Students, of all academic levels, and parents, have returned to tell him that he inspired their student to develop a life-long interest in history, critical thinking, and education. Many former students have sought him out to discuss life decisions and current accomplishments in education. Mr. Gertsen continues to arrange history themed day trips for former students who continue to desire to meet, learn and explore local history. Mr. Gertsen will lead his 20th trip to Washington DC where he has modeled and intentionally mentored his 8th-grade Richard Gertsen History Center (RGHC) interns to present information at the historical sites. They spend time not only creating exhibits and developing research scholarship skills, and they also explore important historical sites of California. Interns develop curating and docent skills as they endeavor to create a bridge to our community. They share their knowledge and lessons from history with other student groups and senior adults. They recently presented information to our 4th-graders about citrus and agricultural history as they studied California history. The interns are part of an elite group of students chosen to develop an appreciation for history, develop critical thinking skills and participate in civic life.RGHC is home to the largest private collection of Theodore Roosevelt’s artifacts and memorabilia, and it has a wide variety of historical museum-quality items related to the history and development of Orange County and Southern California all funded through private gifts and donations.Mr. Gersten is a purveyor of truth and develops critical thinking skills by using strategies such as reasoning, logic, and debate. He obtained his Juris Doctor, law degree graduating as a member of the James Kent American Inn of Court.
Nominated by Leah Hess
Corinne Giacchino
Castille Elementary
Cori is hands on and available 24/7 to both parents and students.She engages her students in thoughtful discussion and guides the class to thinking about both the curriculum and how it applies to the world around them.She is by far one of the most attentive and thoughtful teachers I’ve had the pleasure of knowing.
Nominated by Milan Rousset
Shawn Gillespie
Plaza Vista School
Mr. Gillespie is a key teacher for us at Plaza Vista! Mr. Gillespie teaches science in a hands-on and dynamic fashion while also attending to rigor. Students and parents adore him. Mr. Gillespie was instrumental in having our 8th grade class go to Catalina for science camp recently. Mr. Gillespie made this opportunity available to all students (whereas at other schools it’s for honors’ students only.) Additionally, Mr. Gillespie is our robotics team coach and secured the funding for that program. Mr. Gillespie is also our Associated Student Body (ASB) advisor. Our ASB has piloted a number of new campaigns and initiatives with Mr. Gillespie’s support including Nobody Eats Alone day.Mr. Gillespie is a kid magnet- students are often hanging out in his room before school, at lunch, and after school.Our school adopted more instructional time for social-emotional learning this year and Mr. Gillespie was instrumental in preparing curriculum for teachers to use with thier students.Mr. Gillespie is such a dynamic speaker that he is hired in our district to speak at other schools in the evenings.I am proud to nominate Mr. Gillespie as he is very deserving!
Nominated by James Parker
Sandy Gilson
Calvary Christian School
Teaching in a Christian school is a calling. For 34 years, Sandy Gilson has been involved in public and private education. She has served as a teacher and administrator and now currently teaches the 5th-grade at Calvary Christian School.Sandy is a leader at CCS. She leads a professional learning group with her fellow teachers and mentors one of our new teachers as she is in a state induction program to clear her credential. Her attention and desire for all teachers to teach with excellence is just one of the ways Sandy stands out as an excellent educator. Her servant’s attitude is remarkable as she opens her classroom up every morning 30 minutes before the school day begins and reteaches and answers questions that any of the students may have. Sandy oversees our school spelling bee and hosts 6-7 other Christian schools in a spelling bee for the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).Sandy continues to grow as an educator and see that our school is a school of academic and spiritual excellence. She seeks to learn new strategies and models well for the new teachers how to implement these strategies. Sandy serves as the coordinator of our accreditation team which includes drafting our annual report and preparing for mid-cycle visits. She is also a member of our math curriculum and standardized assessment committees. Sandy plays the piano for CCS’s choirs and for their concerts, musical events such as weekly chapels and spirit assemblies and at the annual Christmas performance and Grandparents Day.This year, her fifth graders are reading A Long Walk to Water, which details the journey of Salva Dut, a Sudanese boy who transitioned from being a refuge in a war-torn Sudan to becoming the mastermind behind an organization meant to better the lives of the Sudanese people. Sandy and her class are organizing a walkathon on our camus where all of the proceeds would go to an organization, Water for South Sudan, where they are building wells in villages so that the Sudanese have clean water for drinking and bathing. Her students are in the process of creating a video to promote this fundraiser. This event is part of our school’s World Culture’s Day where we celebrate the unique cultures represented in our student population.
Nominated by Leah Hess
Kasia Givenrod
Brea Junior High School
Kasia’s passion is in supporting the needs of Special Education students!She has a heart of gold and inspires others to embrace all students, especially thosewith unique needs!Kasia is the Adaptive Physical Education (APE) Teacher serving 55+ students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade within the Brea Olinda Unified School District.Adaptive Physical Education (APE) is a direct service that is provided to a special needs child and it is an adapted, or modified, physical education program designed to meet the individualized gross motor needs, or other disability-related challenges, of an identified student. Kasia’s APE Program is one of the best!Not only does she design high interest, engaging physical education activities to meet the needs of her students, but she is a champion for blending special education students with general education students.Two years ago, Kasia created a Unified P.E. Program at both Brea Junior High and Brea Olinda High School where general education students “mentor” special education students. Through this Unified P.E. class, general education students are empowered to help create a more inclusive and accepting school environment for all students. In addition, Kasia spearheads the “Spread the Word to End the Word” campaign and shares factual information and compassionate stories to remind students to always demonstrate kindness in their words and actions to all students, not just students with special needs. Furthermore, Kasia works hard to provide her students with exciting and challenging activities outside of the regular P.E. classroom as well.Kasia is a lead coordinator in organizing a variety of sport competitions with neighboring schools and school districts.These competitions, which are sponsored by the Special Olympics, provide modified sport competitions including both special education and general education students.These competitions encourage teamwork and sportsmanship, and are always well attended. It is such a proud moment for all of the athletes!Finally, Kasia goes above and beyond to be a champion for students with special needs.Every year, for the past 20+ years, Kasia has been a summer camp counselor for Rising Above Disabilities (RAD) Camp.RAD Camp is a residential summer camp for adults and children with developmental disabilities. This has actually turned into a family event, with her husband and two daughters also participating in the festivities every year.Kasia is one of those one-of-a-kind teachers who is a true champion for not just special education students, but all students!
Nominated by Kelly Kennedy
Janette Gomez
Red Hill Lutheran School
Shaping forever learners is what Ms. Gomez does.Whether its is making a jungle in her classroom, teaching the students about the moon while gazing at the stars, or dressing up as Mary Poppins to encourage reading, Ms. Gomez is all about teaching her kindergarten class about the amazing adventure of learning.She is beloved by her class and their parents and is an integral part of the teaching staff at Red Hill Lutheran School.She puts in long hours, as all teachers do, but is always “On her game”.She is the kindergarten teacher students will talk about long after they have moved up grades (“I remember when Ms. Gomez…”).
Nominated by Mark Wakita
As a parent to three children and being extremely involved in thecommunity, it is a true honor to nominate Ms. Gomez for teacher of theyear.She is an outstanding teacher who stands out for her passionfor teaching as well as her love and care for her students.During our son’s kindergarten year with Ms. Gomez, I’ve had theopportunity to observe her in class.She is one of the best teachersI have ever seen.She is amazing and is the epitome of this Teacherof the Year award.She has a true gift for teaching and is able toengage every child at every level.Whether she’s singing a song tohelp students remember an academic concept or utilizing crafts fortactile engagement, she makes learning fun with a perfect balance ofstructure and creativity.Ms. Gomez expertly weaves in Christianlessons into her classroom as well.Her positive energy and love for children are palpable.Ms. Gomez also goes above and beyond for her students both in and outof the classroom.I have seen her stay late into the evening toprepare her lessons plans and adjust when needed for various students.She is constantly thinking of her students and those around her.Ms.Gomez is also a great teacher because she constantly seeks out newideas and researches the latest techniques and projects to hone herlessons plans.She provides individualized attention when needed (necessary) tohelp students reach their goals.Ms. Gomez’s communication withparents and colleagues is top notch too.She thoughtfullycollaborates with parents to ensure students’ personal growth andacademic success.She was a game changer for our son.To see himthriving in school, and smiling each day with excitement is apriceless gift for which we are so grateful for.Every parent who has been blessed to have a child in Ms. Gomez’s classecho the exact same sentiments about her.Ms. Gomez brings out thevery best in every student and person she meets.She shines with withexcitement and happiness every day. I highly recommend Ms. Gomez forTeacher of the Year.
Nominated by Stacey Jue
Robin Gormin
Fairmont Private Schools, Historic Anaheim Campus
For veteran art teacher Robin Gormin, education is more than a job, it is a calling. Robin exemplifies the best qualities of an educator: enthusiasm, empathy, a love of people, exceptional knowledge of her subject area, integrity, and being a learner herself. Through her patience, kindness, and direction, Mrs. Gormin fosters a classroom of creativity and innovation where students are invited to explore their talents and express their ideas.From trash art and cardboard engineering to school bus safety and water conservation, Mrs. Gormin encourages her students to think globally and across disciplines. Mrs. Gormin engages her students in meaningful work and spends endless hours preparing and submitting their pieces into art shows. In her class, Robin’s students develop an appreciation for hard work and a great sense of pride in their accomplishments. At first glance, Mrs. Gormin’s teaching appears to be effortless. She floats around her classroom, offering guidance, but underneath her soft smile is an approach to learning that is strategic and deliberate. Through art, Mrs. Gormin teaches her students that they can do anything they put their minds to. Her lessons are globally minded and work to connect students to relevant and contemporary issues. In Mrs. Gormin’s class, there are no mistakes, and each student’s talents are valued and celebrated. From preschool to eighth grade, Mrs. Gormin has a personal connection with every student and knows, understands their strengths, and expertly designs lessons to complement their unique needs. She partners with classroom teachers and uses art to support literacy goals and conceptual learning across the curriculum. Through gentle questions and redirection, Mrs. Gormin leads students through the creative process to not only help them understand and love art, but to also encourage curiosity and questions. Mrs. Gormin’s dedication to her peer teachers and our school is equally outstanding. Mrs. Gormin’s professionalism, work-ethic, and endlessly positive spirit are never in short supply. Whether she is working with her campusteam or as a member of the arts department, Mrs. Gormin’s commitment to education, global mindedness, inquiry, and collaboration are always at the forefront. She sees the good in everyone and works tirelessly to help others see these gifts in themselves. Robin is exceptional because of the relationships she establishes with her students and colleagues, which makes all the difference. In all that she does, her natural ability to connect people shines through. She’s a gem!
Nominated by Rebecca Lugo
Karin Grasko
St. Angela Merici Parish School
St. Angela Merici Parish School would like to nominate Mrs. Karin Grasko as one of our outstanding elementary Teachers of the Year. Mrs. Grasko is currently our AMAZING 5th grade teacher. She is known for her exceptional use of technology, her ability to engage every student in the learning process, and her amazing projects. As a former PE teacher and swim coach, she has a natural ability to inspire nothing less than greatness from her students. Her classroom is decorated with colorful confetti because she encourages all students to “Throw kindness around like confetti!” She is a model teacher and leader on campus. Mrs. Grasko is not only the first to implement the latest and greatest teaching practices and technology in her own classroom, but she heads up many of our teacher training meetings to inspire the rest of our teaching team. Her 5th grade students use Chromebooks throughout the day to create digital portfolios, utilize Google Classroom, individualize learning with IXL, and to integrate curriculum with countless educational programs. Sadly, our school lost Mrs. Grasko’s sister, our school’s PE teacher, to breast cancer at the age of just 41 just last year. Mrs. Grasko showed unwavering strength and was an inspiration to our students, staff and the entire school community during this difficult time. After her sister’s passing, Mrs. Grasko helped to organize and support school-wide events for breast cancer patients at the Breastlink Cancer Treatment Center in Orange. Instead of traditional Valentine’s Day classroom parties, our school students made blankets that Mrs. Grasko and several students delivered to the cancer treatment center. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, our school collected donations and made Care Bags for cancer patients. Despite an incredible loss, Mrs. Grasko has shown our school community how to stay positive and support those still fighting breast cancer. We highly recommend Mrs. Grasko as a superior candidate for Parenting OC’s Top Teacher of the year. Her dedication to education, technology, compassion, positivity, and kindness are inspiring to not just her students, but to us all.
Nominated by Vanessa Halliday
Cheryl Guckert
Clarence Lobo Elementary School
Mrs. Cheryl Guckert is one of those phenomenal one-of-a-kind teachers.She has spent her career in teaching students who have a wide variety of disabilities.It is such a great honor to nominate Mrs. Guckert for Top Teachers of Orange County.I have worked with Mrs. Guckert for 9 years and in that time I am continually amazed at her patience, her love for her students, and the high rigor that she expects from them.The students love her and rise to any expectations that she offers.Her teaching style is multi-modal and all make great growth in her class.All you have to do is to walk into her classroom to see happy children striving to learn.She knows her students so well and knows what motivates each of them.Her students feel loved and enjoy learning each and every day.Not only does she spend quality time during the school day in the classroom, Mrs. Guckert spends countless hours in the evening and on weekends to complete necessary paperwork that is involved with being a special education teacher and planning for busy school days.She has also spent thousands of dollars of her own money to make sure she has what she needs to provide the students with the learning environment that each child needs to be successful.I have seen Mrs. Guckert spend time before and after school to meet with parents and get to know each family very well.She is trusted and revered by all who know her.For her students who may have financial needs, she looks into getting the resources to the families to help the whole family.It is without hesitation, that I nominate Mrs. Cheryl Guckert as being a Top Teacher of Orange County.Our world would be such a better place if we had more teachers like her.
Nominated by Cheryl Sampson
Carrie Gulino
Mission hills christian school
Mrs. Carrie Gulino is an amazing teacher, mentor, life coach, you name it. She teaches her students not only book smart but how to be leaders in life. She gave of her time / self whole heartedly. She cared about each & every one of her students. There aren’t enough words to describe her. My son and everyone who entered her class were impacted tremendously by her teachings. Even I, as a parent volunteer in her class,learned quite a few life lessons from her. If there’s anyone who’s a super hero, it’s Mrs. CarrieGulino.
Nominated by PriscillaKavoussi
Kelly Hambrick
San Juan Hills High School
High school PE is typically one of the students’ most dreaded classes. High school PE is filled with mainly non-athletes, many of whom were traumatized in middle school with the mandatory 1-mile runs and being less-skilled than their classmates. Thankfully at San Juan Hills High School Mr. Kelly Hambrick, has created an inviting, healthy, and dare I say FUN environment for our students. Mr. Hambrick has lead the way to change the culture around PE classes.Mr. Hambrick, as PE Department Chairperson, lead our school’s PE Department to swap out the traditional units of volleyball, basketball, etc. with more engaging curriculum including yoga, hiking, badminton, circuit-training, Frisbee, and a backyard games unit where students learn bocce ball, corn hole, and lawn bowling. His purpose in changing the curriculum was to actively engage students and teach them sports they will actually play after high school. The PE Department saw multiple benefits with the changes; students are learning fun ways to be healthy, they are building their self-confidence and developing a positive attitude towards physical fitness.Additionally, Mr. Hambrick and his department wanted to prepare students for how to use professional gyms, something that can be quite intimidating to students without an athletic background. He and his department met with managers from Orange Theory Fitness, Planet Fitness and a local circuit-training class. They took the best from all three programs to develop cardio/circuit lessons here at San Juan Hills High School. Mr. Hambrick wrote multiple grants and received heart rate monitors for all the PE classes and purchased an extra-large screen so that students can project their individual heart rate monitors on the screen just like at the “real” gyms. Mr. Hambrick partnered with the American Heart Association to teach students how to exercise for a healthy heart and properly use their heart rate monitors. Students are not compared to one another, only themselves, so they are encouraged and excited when they see their own individual growth.I believe Mr. Hambrick is one of OC’s TOP Teachers. His passion for students to be happy, physical fit, and confident will have a lasting impact on our students. It makes us smile to think 20 years from now when students are hiking, working out in the gym, or teaching their own children how to play Bocce, they’ll say “I learned that from Mr. Hambrick in high school PE.”
Nominated by Jennifer Smalley
Colette Hammer
Red Hill Lutheran
Mrs. Hammer brings life and joy to her teaching. The students recall class content because she makes lessons memorable through storytelling and engaging lessons. Students in Mrs. Hammer’s class love school due to the passion she puts into her students and her teaching. My son is excelling and focused in her class and gets excited to learn each day from her.
Nominated by Sara Bridgman
Candice Harrington
Capistrano Valley High School
Mrs. Candice Harrington is an incredible math teacher.She currently teaches Algebra I, Algebra II/Trigonometry, and AP Calculus AB.All of her classes are student-centered and she works to help students learn not only the procedural steps of math but understand the conceptual connections.Her students consistently have over a 90% pass rate on the AP Calculus AB while allowing open access to the course. She takes students from where they are and provides them with what they need to be confident and successful. She is innovative in her approach to teaching math and is passionate about championing math for all students. In addition to being an amazing math teacher, she is also the Yearbook advisor, newspaper advisor, Comedy Sportz advisor, Instructional Coach, Link Crew Coordinator and school social media coordinator.She does all of these things at the highest level and maintains her student-centered, student-first approach for each task.
Nominated by JohnMisustin
Jamie Hernandez
Red Hill Lutheran
Jamie Hernandez is an incredible teacher.She is caring and compassionate yet challenges my son enough to keep him engaged.We have never had any concerns with Mrs. Hernandez.My son continues to have positive feedback and is able to articulate his emotions and needs to Mrs. Hernandez.Mrs. Hernandez goes out of her way to ensure all her students, including my son are receiving the best education and care possible.All this while maintain a positive attitude!She is intelligent and very well rounded.I am honored to have Mrs. Hernandez as my son’s first grade teacher!
Nominated by Danny Hadib
Her traditions of excellence continue!
Nominated by Bryan Prentice
Helen Ho
La Habra High School
Ms. Ho teaches Geometry, Intro to Computer Science, and our Math Essentials course.Math Essentials is an intervention-based class designed to build foundational and operational math computation skills.However, Ms. Ho has made it so much more than “remedial math”.She works in essential academic soft skills such as study habits, organization, and communication.Most importantly, Ms. Ho encourages development of students confidence in their math potential.Too often, students come to high school with negative experiences in math, and a feeling that they just “aren’t good at math”.Ms. Ho questions this belief, and uses her time with students to shift their paradigm and self-image to realize that math competency is an attainable skill for all students.Her focus on developing a growth mindset supports student success in math essentials, and in their overall academic experience.Ms. Ho is available after school for additional math tutoring for students in need.In addition, Ms. Ho scheduled and oversaw all staff volunteers for our home football games, ensuring our student body was well-supervised, ticket sales were coordinated, gate duty was fulfilled, and field security was enforced.As a result of Ms. Ho’s diligence, our home game experiences were welcoming, systematic, and safe for all involved.As a staff member, Ms. Ho willing contributes to staff development, math meetings, and curriculum development.She has served as a Student Intervention Team Case Manager, and goes out of her way to identify students in need and find available supports.La Habra students, staff, and families definitely benefit from Ms. Ho’s contributions and enthusiasm.
Nominated by Keri Kimes
Sheila Housley
Fairmont Anaheim Hills
Mrs. Sheila Housley is an outstanding teacher.She is adored by her students and their families, and she is highly respected by her peers.She has taught at Fairmont for 20 years and in that time served as a WASC group leader, admissions director, pentathlon coach, Junior High alumni relations coordinator, advisor to the National Junior Honor’s Society, developmental sports league soccer coach, grade level coordinator, and junior high language arts coordinator.As you can see, she is an invaluable member of the school community.The bonds Mrs. Housley forms with her students last a lifetime.She regularly has former students stop in her classroom to say hi and catch up with her.When she walks down the junior high hallway, her former students swarm her and nearly tackle her with hugs.Her students absolutely love her because she shows them that she cares about each of them as students and as individuals.She does not hesitate to differentiate assignments and lessons to meet her students’ needs, and she knows exactly how to do this as well.High achieving students typically flourish under Mrs. Housley’s tutelage and struggling students often feel empowered due to her care and nurturing.She also excels as a writing instructor and is always looking for ways to further enhance her teaching and her students’ learning.Sheila Housley is not only revered by her students, but also by their families.I regularly hear comments from parents about how great Mrs. Housley is.They notice the care and attention that she provides their child(ren).They feel comfortable partnering with her about their child’s education and they trust her.Lastly, Sheila Housley is an excellent colleague.She is a willing collaborator who works well with the other teachers in the building.She does not hesitate to ask for her colleagues’ input in situations and she is willing to share her wealth of knowledge with her fellow teachers.She also seeks professional development opportunities in an effort to hone her craft and is a teacher who I, as her direct supervisor, have complete confidence in.Mrs. Housley truly is one of, if not, the top teacher in Orange County and I’m humbled to be able to nominate her for this prestigious honor.Sincerely,Ralph AloiaAssistant Campus DirectorFairmont Anaheim Hills
Nominated by Ralph Aloia
Ben Hunter
Red Hill Lutheran School
Boomwhackers, pBones, and Orff Instruments. These are the words you hear in Mr. Hunter’s music class along with the sounds of symphonic strings, rhythmic drumlines, and a rousing concert band. Ben Hunter is a leader and innovator in music education at Red Hill Lutheran School. His passion resonates not only in his classroom but has a resounding impact on the community. Since 2014, Ben Hunter has singlehandedly developed an instrumental survey program for elementary students, as well as a middle school concert band and a string orchestra. This year, he founded the RHLS Drumline which has played at Angels Stadium and during the Tustin Tiller Days Parade, where the school’s presentation won first place.Mr. Hunter gives his all to these programs, coming in before school to work with the String Ensemble to support advanced musicians. After a full day of leading students who play recorders, ukuleles, violins, cellos, and a variety of band instruments, he still has time to promote school activities like the Christmas Carol and Dessert Night, Pep Rallies, and Angel’s Band Night where over 330 members of the school community came to support the RHLS band. In order to support his endeavors, he founded a donor incentive program to raise funds for the music program, leading to $3000 in donations. The community supports Mr. Hunter, because Mr. Hunter supports the community.As the founder and facilitator of the Southern California Christian Schools Honor Ensembles Concert series, Mr. Hunter works with local schools to support students who show potential for higher level differentiated opportunities.These students rehearse together then perform at the Concordia University Worship Center in Irvine.Mr. Hunter brings 5th-8th grade students to events in the larger community such as Orange Lutheran High School’s Youth Band Night where the students play pep tunes with a high school pep band. He also supports 5th graders attendance at Orange Lutheran High School Arts Fest to perform on their Performing Arts Center stage.He brings String Orchestra and Concert Band to OLu’s Youth Instrumental Invitational, adjudicated by a collegiate judge and receiving a hands-on clinic. Being a Class Act school through the Pacific Symphony allows his students perform a prelude to the symphony’s musicians’ Family Night performance for school families and local community members. Without a doubt, Ben Hunter tirelessly works to instill a love of music in his students. His impact reverberates beyond his classroom.
Nominated by Paul Marquardt
Boomwhackers, pBones, and Orff Instruments. These are the words you hear in Mr. Hunter’s music class along with the sounds of symphonic strings, rhythmic drumlines, and a rousing concert band. Ben Hunter is a leader and innovator in music education at Red Hill Lutheran School. His passion resonates not only in his classroom but has a resounding impact on the community. Since 2014, Ben Hunter has singlehandedly developed an instrumental survey program for elementary students, as well as a middle school concert band and a string orchestra. This year, he founded the RHLS Drumline which has played at Angels Stadium and during the Tustin Tiller Days Parade, where the school’s presentation won first place.Mr. Hunter gives his all to these programs, coming in before school to work with the String Ensemble to support advanced musicians. After a full day of leading students who play recorders, ukuleles, violins, cellos, and a variety of band instruments, he still has time to promote school activities like the Christmas Carol and Dessert Night, Pep Rallies, and Angel’s Band Night where over 330 members of the school community came to support the RHLS band. In order to support his endeavors, he founded a donor incentive program to raise funds for the music program, leading to $3000 in donations. The community supports Mr. Hunter, because Mr. Hunter supports the community.As the founder and facilitator of the Southern California Christian Schools Honor Ensembles Concert series, Mr. Hunter works with local schools to support students who show potential for higher level differentiated opportunities.These students rehearse together then perform at the Concordia University Worship Center in Irvine.Mr. Hunter brings 5th-8th grade students to events in the larger community such as Orange Lutheran High School’s Youth Band Night where the students play pep tunes with a high school pep band. He also supports 5th graders attendance at Orange Lutheran High School Arts Fest to perform on their Performing Arts Center stage.He brings String Orchestra and Concert Band to OLu’s Youth Instrumental Invitational, adjudicated by a collegiate judge and receiving a hands-on clinic. Being a Class Act school through the Pacific Symphony allows his students perform a prelude to the symphony’s musicians’ Family Night performance for school families and local community members. Without a doubt, Ben Hunter tirelessly works to instill a love of music in his students. His impact reverberates beyond his classroom.
Nominated by Paul Marquardt
Mr. Ben Hunter is without a doubt, the best music teacher I have ever met.He is always here for the kids, not to mention, he knows how to play almost every single instrument ever made!He is dedicated and hard-working.Whether you are in kindergarten, 3rd grade, middle school, or anything in between, you know Mr. Hunter and his love for music.He gets all students excited for music, and has done so much for our music program.It has grown every year because of him.Ben Hunter makes our school better in every way!
Nominated by JamieElser
Ben is an amazing teacher. He goes above and beyond to make this music program it’s best. He has started multiple instrumental programs in addition to his daily schedule. He is always positive, patient and kind. He takes his students from not knowing a note into a musician. If you ever walk into his room, it sounds so loud with all the instruments playing but it doesn’t phase him. He has organized multiple concerts on campus, as well as getting them to play at venues. They recently played at an angel game alongside other bands and soon they will be playing at Knott’s. In addition, he has set up a music funding donation for people to contribute to to aquire instruments for the school so students don’t have to rent them. He is a true hearted humbly teacher and man. Come watch him in action. He will usually be wearing a tie or shirt related to music somehow. Thank you for considering Ben Hunter for a Top Teacher. He is top teacher to me!
Nominated by Liz Weber
Jeanne Jelnick
Portola High School
She goes by Mama J.Passionate Teacher, Enthusiastic Learner, Inspiring Leader, Compassionate Servant, and a Dedicated Doer.Jeanne Jelnick is a driving force in one of Orange County’s newest high schools, Portola, from Irvine Unified School District.Mama J is founding member of the school’s leadership team and has had powerful influence in every decision that has gone into creating the culture and program at PHS.As the most veteran of the 60+ teacher staff, she sits on the school Leadership Team and is the PHS Drama Director.She Is the Literature and Language Arts Department Chair and she crafted the document that was used for the school’s first Accreditation review.Her influence is apparent in the school vision, mission, values, Learner Outcomes, founding principles, as well as the school emphasis on 21st Century skills, Literacy, and Cross Curricular Connections.When she speaks, people listen with intent for the pearls of wisdom that come from a wealth of experience, a caring heart, and an inspiring outlook.Mama J models risk taking as both member of the staff and as a teacher in the classroom.A well respected and acclaimed teacher at her former school of 20+ years, she took a risk to begin a new from scratch.In the classroom, she has grown as a technology user as well as a teacher who actively integrates cross-curricular ideas into her daily lessons.The best part about Mama J is just sitting in her classroom.She is captivating.She has perfected the art of engaging and empowering every single learner in every single lesson.This sounds impossible, but it is absolutely true.She makes every learner feel like they are important, their opinion matters, their quality of work matters, and that every lesson is important to life.Just speaking with Mama J you get a sense of passion from her.You sense her love and care for kids.You understand why kids fight to get in her class.Words cannot do her justice.Her commitment and presence at PHS has made a profound impact on her kids, her department, the school culture, and everyone else in her sphere of influence.If she left tomorrow after only a couple years on staff, her mark will still be forever left on the fabric of Portola High School.I can think of no one more deserving of this honor than Mama J.
Nominated by John Pehrson
CindyJenkins
Rosary Academy
To Whom It May Concern:“O God, I thank You for the lanterns in my life who illumined dark and uncertain paths, calmed and stilled debilitating doubts and fears with encouraging words, wise lessons, gentle touches, firm nudges, and faithful actions along my journey of life…”The words of Marian Wright Edelman speak volumes about Mrs. Cindy Jenkins.Mrs. Jenkins is a lantern for the young women of Rosary Academy.She has enriched, informed and shape the lives of not only our students, but our faculty.Cindy is a pillar in her department and the school.I have had the opportunity to observe Mrs. Jenkins at work with her students.She brings a passion to teaching that inspires and motivates her students.She makes them fall in love with history.She makes history come alive.Mrs. Jenkins involves her students in their learning experience.She has the ability to draw the best from them, making them rise to levels beyond their own believe. She challenges them and, at the same time, makes it comfortable for them to learn and challenge her in return. Mrs. Jenkins challenges her students to set worthy and necessary life goals. Her emphasis is on education, excellence, and service for life not just a career.Mrs. Jenkins is also highly respected as a person with high ethical and moral standards.She relates extremely well to her students as well as members of the faculty and staff.Her integrity, perseverance and passion for education are crucial influences on the other members of the Rosary Academy teaching staff.Her zest and commitment to teaching have inspired others to continue to improve as teachers.Many of us wish that we could be have as good or faithful to our craft. The Rosary community is better because of her presence.Mrs. Jenkins is a top educator on our campus.Sincerely,Shawna L. Pautsch, Ed DHead of School
Nominated by Shawna Pautsch
Christine Jo
Heritage Oak Private Education
Upon entering Miss Christine Jo’s 4th grade classroom, one feels a sense of calmness and comfort—almost like walking into a family event. Her students are always engaged in the lessons and it is very apparent that they feel that her classroom is a place which is considered a second home. Her encouraging words and nurturing demeanor are so natural that it is understandable why she knew she wanted to be a teacher when she was five years old. Her teaching motto “educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all,” (Aristotle) guides her in her goal each year for her students to have fun, learn, and grow academically and in their character. Her favorite subject to teach is math, however, it wasn’t always her favorite growing up. As she explains, “It took me time to realize the importance of math in life. I also like teaching math because there is always a correct answer. I love teaching my students the different skills and techniques that aid in finding the ‘right’ answer, like the importance of being neat and organized even when it comes to math.” Though Miss Jo has been a key member of the 4th grade team of teachers for six years, she began working at Heritage Oak as a full time substitute teacher, working with all grade levels. She spent two more years teaching 1st grade before finding her niche in a 4th grade classroom. While some teachers would rest on their laurels during their 6th year in the same grade level, Miss Jo is always striving to be a better teacher. In her own words – “Being a teacher is so worthwhile and rewarding because every day is so different, and the opportunity to be able to impact my students on a daily basis is what drives me to become a better teacher.”
Nominated by Shawna Rhebergen
Rachelle John
Hicks Canyon
Mrs. John is an amazing teacher. She constantly goes above and beyond for her students. For example, my son was having a difficult time with math to the point he came to me and said he has given up. He felt hopeless and thought givingupwas his only option. He would crumble his homework and refuse to do it. He wouldn’t pass his math tests, he was so overwhelmed . Until one dayMrs. John wrote him a heart felt letter explaining to my son the importance of trying and never giving up. Weopened that letter and we sat down and read it as tears rolled down our cheeks as she explained to him the importance of trying and how she will work with him. Mrs. Johnspent countless days going over the math with him, making notes for him, putting him in small groups until he felt confident . The next math test he brought home was a “B”. I looked at him and told him how proud I was of him, he said to me “mom, all I have to do is try. I have a teacher that believes in me and wants me to succeed . I can do this , I’m smart and I owe to myself to try, giving up is never an option ”from that day on I just knew how special Mrs John is and how much she cares so deeply for her students. She has truly picked the best profession. She has made a major impact in my sons life and I know she has with other students as well .We are truly grateful for having such a loving , understanding , patience, and kind 5th grade teacher. She’s not only getting her students ready for middle School, she’s getting them ready for their futures!
Nominated by Sirena Rhodes
Mrs. John has been nothing but exceptional not only with my child but with all the students in her class. I’ve heard great things about her the previous year from several students and parents, so we were elated to find out my child was placed in her class this year. My daughter struggles with a few subjects in school and with Mrs. John’s help within this first trimester, I can already see the growth. I’m not basing this out of speculation or hearsay nor the improvement of my daughter alone but out of observation. I am her room parent and very present at school, so I see the amount of work and effort she puts into her job. She goes above and beyond to be sure her students succeed at their own level. Mrs. John is very inclusive and doesn’t make any one student feel inadequate. She knows she is there to help them to the best of their abilities, and you couldn’t really ask for more from a teacher who gives it their all. Teachers like her who prepare our students for their future are deserving of awards and recognition. Even if she isn’t chosen for the top employee, I am sure of it the entire class and their parents will be recognizing her for profession.
Nominated by Linda Luu
Kara Johnson
Trabuco Hills High School
Kara Johnson is one of the most passionate and revolutionary educators that I have ever had the pleasure to work alongside.Kara’s endless dedication to build an inclusive school culture supports and inspires our entire campus at Trabuco Hills High School.She goes above and beyond for students; advocating for inclusivity and equality, providing ALL students with opportunities for leadership, and collaborating with other districts across the county to help support their programs, too.By building positive staff relationships, engaging the school campus and community, and providing support, Kara has built a model program at THHS for students with Moderate/Severe Disabilities and created a culture of inclusivity at a large comprehensive high school.As our Unified Champion School Site Leader and District Liaison, Kara has tirelessly promoted relationships, acceptance, and inclusion between general education students and students with disabilities. This positive integration was exemplified two years ago when two of her students were elected Homecoming King and Queen, and again this year with one student on Homecoming Court.Five years ago, she pioneered a Unified Sports program and collaborated County and State wide to expand Unified Sports within schools.Three years ago, she established a fully integrated Unified Physical Education class, one of the first in the state of California.Last year, we had our very first “Unified pair” speak at graduation.This year, she started a fully integrated Unified Arts class, also one of the first in the state of California. All Unified classes consist of 50% students with special needs and 50% without; making it truly an inclusive experience for everyone involved. Special education and general education students are seen as equitable classmates and friends.Kara has singlehandedly expanded Unified Programming throughout SVUSD into 11 schools (and growing), therefore establishing SVUSD as the first Unified Champion School District in OC. In addition to her impact and influence throughout the schools in our District, Kara has also taken on speaker and leadership roles as a Unified Champion School Leader.To date, she has attended three National Unified School Conferences, presented at and led several SVUSD District meetings and Unified Leaders meetings, presented at other school districts in OC and SoCal, and presented at the National APE Conference last year in San Diego, and will again next month. This year, she was awarded the GOAL Award for the state of California, and made it on ESPN’s Top 34 Honor Roll.
Nominated by Maranda MacDonald
Holli Joyal
TVT
Ms. Joyal is the science teacher for the elementary school at TVT.She teaches TK through 5th Grade and really gets the kids excited about science.She has a great sense of humor and makes learning fun.Ms. Joyal is kind, caring, supportive, and a wealth of knowledge which she shares with her students.Her love of science rubs off on the students she teaches.I am not only a parent, but President of the Parent Association at the school and I constantly receive feedback from other parents at how science is the highlight of the day for their kids.Ms. Joyal encourages out-of-the-box thinking and challenges her students to think about the world around them.Science is not just a subject for Ms. Joyal, but her passion.This passion is reflected in her teaching style and it is this passion that I now see in my kids thanks to Ms. Joyal.
Nominated by Ilanit Marzouk
Tami Kasamatsu-Bailey
Hewes Middle School
My 8th grade son Joseph was so excited to have Mrs. Bailey for Math and Avid this year. Last year he struggled in Math and his Core class, where he lost total confidence in his academics. Tears of frustration and wanting to give up. This year Mrs. Bailey has turned that around for him completely. The AVID class has been so motivational and Mrs. Bailey is certified in AVID and has taught him so many life long organizational skills to prepare for high school, college and just life in general. The kids also go on field trips to visit colleges and get a glimpse of the college life and that even if you are not the straight A and honors student that with AVID and the skills and hard work put in that college is possible. I love that Mrs. Bailey shared her struggles in her school life that she too wasn’t the smartest child in her family and that she was the average student. Her stories are genuine, touching and real. Today, she says that her goal is inspire students and give them hope and motivation that any student can succeed and reach their dreams of the career they hope for regardless of academic abilities. Her goal was to be a teacher and help these types of students, which is inspirational. Joseph is able to relate to her and comes home with the stories that she shares in class and she has motivated him so much. He loves going to school and strives for good grades and has a new sense of confidence. Our Hewes Middle School community and the Pham family feel so fortunate and blessed to have Mrs. Bailey be a teacher at our school to be a lifesaver for our students.Mrs. Bailey deserves to be a TOP Middle School Teacher because she opens her doors morning, lunch and after school and is devoted and committed to the success of every student. Middle School is a crucial and influential time and Mrs. Bailey is truly AMAZING.
Nominated by MaryPham
Christine Kelley
International School of Orange County
Born in Bordeaux, France, Christine moved to the United States 26 years ago before joining the International School of Orange County a year later. After teaching preschool and pre-Kindergarten for several years, Christine now teaches a full range of classes to our 1st graders, including mathematics, French, STEM, art, music, PE, history, and geography, in a French immersion setting. She also teaches art to our 6th grade students.Christine’s passion for interacting with children and watching them grow is what brought her to teaching. If asked what she loves most about it, Christine will tell you that she enjoys discovering, and helping to develop, her students’ unique talents. Her kindness and positive attitude make her the epitome of a good teacher. She likes to follow French researcher Philippe Meirieu’s motto in her classroom: “Because understanding is more important than succeeding, school is a place where you should be able to be wrong without risk”. She constantly establishes an environment where her students can speak and express themselves openly. She ensures that they are active learners who don’t simply receive the lessons she teaches but also develop their own problem-solving skills. By reassuring them that failure is often times inevitable on their path to learning, Christine makes her classroom a stress-free space.Christine’s role in modernizing the technology tools our teachers use has been crucial. Thanks to her leadership, Voicethread has become a very effective way for our faculty to share French-based materials with our families who don’t speak French as students can independently listen to French stories, songs, and vocabulary covered in class while at home. Stepping into Christine’s classroom is like stepping into a beautiful art gallery, as her passion for visual arts translates into every project she embarks on with her students who therefore develop an early appreciation for the arts. Christine’s method often consists in using multidisciplinary projects where they not only read a book but also write a story and illustrate it using the methods of a major artist. Another project her students love is the celebration of the 100 Days of School. Their math and cursive writing skills are practiced every day leading up to the 100th day of school, at which point they enjoy a fun gathering where they share their final artistic production.Christine is definitely an exceptional teacher whose dedication has helped our campus grow into the vibrant community it is today.
Nominated by Sarah Blek
Adam Keuhn
Steve Luther Elementary
Mr. Adam Keuhn is my son’s fourth grade teacher at Steve Luther Elementary School in a 4/5 combo.Mr. Keuhn is committed to giving his best to his students so that his students can do their best, and I truly hope he can be recognized for his dedication.When I visited the classroom for the first time at Back to School Night, I was amazed at the time, effort, and money he poured into his classroom. His entire class is full of various seating options, such as yoga balls and wobble stools. Students enter his class excited and engaged because he allows students the flexibility to choose. He created a classroom economy that he uses to encourage students to do and give their best. My son is always so excited to earn and spend his “cash”. Mr. Keuhn has his own special handshake with each student as they leave the classroom. Each student is recognized and made to feel important. Mr. Keuhn’s class sounds like the “fun” class, but don’t let that fool you. His lessons are well-planned and executed, just like his classroom economy and committment to flexible seating. He is in constant communication with the parents and families to let us know what the students are learning in class, and the kids are definitely learning!Mr. Keuhn goes above and beyond not only for his class, but also for the school. He is the school’s Team Sports Coordinator. He organizes month long soccer, basketball, and other sports tournaments during his recess/break time throughout the year for students in grades 4-6. The tournaments are quite impressive, and this was something that my son was looking forward to when he entered 4th grade.Even with such busy days of teaching, running sports during recess, grading and planning, Mr. Keuhn makes it a point to help with many after school events which encourages my son to attend because he knows that his teacher will be there. I truly hope he can be recognized as Teacher of the Year! His students already think he’s Teacher of the Year, but this would be a great way to make it official!
Nominated by Lisa Lum
Seong Kim
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
“To open or prepare for others to follow” is how Merriam-Webster defines the verb pioneer. This is exactly what Mrs. Kim is doing in the first and only Korean Dual Language Immersion Academy in Orange County. Being a pioneer can be a lonely road, one where there isn’t much charted territory. Anaheim Elementary is proud to be the only dual language immersion (DLI) district in California where all 23 schools offer a DLI program. While 22 schools offer Spanish, Mrs. Kim’s school offers Korean. Much like the pioneers, Mrs. Kim took a risk by leaving her steady job in LA to help launch a brand new, never-been-done language program in Orange County. And much like a pioneer, Mrs. Kim is making new discoveries as she goes. Although Orange County is home to the second-largest population of Koreans in California, they are not as densely concentrated in Central Anaheim where the school resides. Questions loom: Will there be enough students? Are there enough Korean resources? Will this be successful?As principal, I can tell you that this program is immensely successful. Not only do we have a full class of 24 linguistically and culturally diverse students, these students are thriving under the care of Mrs. Kim. Never before have I witnessed such high use of cognitive function as students are actively engaged in seeking out cues to make sense of language and meaning in a fun environment. With a magical blend of teachers’ high expectations and unwavering belief that her students can and will succeed, coupled with an abundance of love and care, this special community of learners has grown leaps and bounds in only the span of 3 months. They can count to 10, 20 and some to 50 in Korean! Mrs. Kim is a passionate lead learner who spends every ounce of every day reflecting, refining, innovating, and searching for more effective means for her students to build on their heritage languages in an asset-based program model. Mrs. Kim herself is a language learner. When she immigrated from South Korea to America, she viewed her limited English through a deficit-based lens. As a dual language teacher, she is proud to model and lead her student to embrace their heritage languages. By doing so, Mrs. Kim is opening cultural and linguistic doors, and paving the way for others to follow…in true pioneer fashion.
Nominated by Sandra Song
I’ve only known Seong for a few short months as she is a new addition to the Thomas Jefferson family. However, from what I’ve witnessed as her colleague and friend; she’s pretty amazing! Mrs. Kim teaches Kindergarten DLI Korean at Thomas Jefferson Elementary. When you walk into her classroom, you immediately become immersed in the Korean culture. Her scholars are actively engaged in the curriculum and LOVE having her as their teacher.
Nominated by Dana McChristie
Tracy Kim
Robert C. Fisler School
Mrs.Tracy Kim is an exemplary educator that goes above and beyond daily for her students. She dedicates most of her time either planning for an awesome lesson or getting to know her students to build valuable relationships. Students in her class know that she cares deeply for them. Students are engaged through reading and writing workshop that happen daily in her classroom. She teaches coding through Lego Mindstorm EV3 and leads an after school Robotic club/team that competes in Robot Nation every year. In addition to the coding and competition, she teaches valuable skills such as computational thinking and growth mindset (especially needed for competitions.) She is highly respected at the site by her colleagues and deeply appreciated by the parent community. An amazing teacher like Mrs. Kim needs to be recognized!
Nominated by Julienne Lee
Debbie Kohlenberger
Friends Christian Elementary School
Mrs. Kohlenberger is every school’s ideal teacher and one of the things that makes her so special is her connection with Friends Christian (FC) Elementary School where she now teaches and effectively applies her 33 years of experience in education.She was aclassroom teacher before deciding to join Friends Christian, but when all three of her daughters began attending Friends Chrisitan she decided to join them as well and became an Instructional Aide and substitute teacher here for the past 9 years.Now she teaches 1st grade at Friends Chrisitian and continues to teach teacher education courses at California State University at Fullerton with a focus on supervising student teachers. Her teaching philosophy and style is no less remarkable than her story.She is approachable and always available to guide parents when they have questions about how they can help their children with classwork.She also focuses on the whole child and teaches them the social emotional skills they need to be successful in their academic pathways and eventually their careers.She emphasizes techniques and strategies students can use to understand how to get along with fellow student and have the self-efficacy and self-regulation to solve their own problems. Therefore, it goes without saying that she also emphasizes that students take responsibility and ownership for their learning and conduct, which then helps them intrinsically make good choices with behavior, peer interaction, and study habits.She also brings her passion for student success with her each and everyday and it shows in a variety of ways, but one of the best examples is when she teaches the students their spelling words for the week, she parallels the words with their American Sign Language counterpart and the students learn both!She has multiple ways of designing her lessons in this fashion, but one strategy the students thoroughly enjoy is practicing spelling the words on using their knowledge of Sign Language and sign each word. Mrs. Kohlenberger is truly a wonderful gift to the students, staff, and families at Friends Christian Elementary School.
Nominated by Stacey Shun
Corie Kolodge
Fanning Academy
Mrs. Kolodge brings an energy to our school that is unmatched. As a sixth grade teacher, student council advisor and Kindness committee advisor, Mrs. Kolodge is the most genuine teacher and supportive staff member a principal could hope for. She follows through with every activity, event and site initiative.Her resourcefulness and wit makes her a fun and creative teacher.Mrs. Kolodge is one of the few teachers who is never afraid to take on new tasks. She dives into new curriculum and strategies with enthusiasm, and she loves the challenge.After she learns anything new, she brings us into her classroom and shares her wealth of knowledge in the friendliest and most humble way possible. She goes above and beyond with implementing MTSS practices, Growth mindset and building relationships with all students . She motivates students to love school as much as she loves teaching.Mrs. Kolodge is student council advisor and teaches our students to become an active community members.As part of the Kindness Committee, Mrs. Kolodge plans events for our school to promote character development, inclusivity and an overall positive mindset for our students and staff.Mrs. Kolodge does not work or serve for awards or recognition but simply to inspire and impact all those she comes in contact with each day. While remaining current with the latest instructional strategies and technologies, she can still reach a troubled or struggling student with simple, yet profound, motherly instincts and empathy coupled with complete professionalism.Likewise, she can accelerate and challenge her brightest of students because of professional development experiences and innovations she has pursued and mastered. Her intelligence, flexibility, people skills, and amazing follow through are qualities she brings to every situation.Her passion for students is witnessed on a daily basis.Her genuine care for students is so transparent and refreshing to see as an administrator.She is one of the best reasons to be part of the Fanning Family!
Nominated by Theresa Stevens
Jean Krever
Villa Park Elementary
In our classroom, my teacher, Ms. Krever, has us approach many different ways of learning to see what works best for us. For example, we sometimes work on interactive notebooks in social studies, but for our Egypt unit, we worked mostly on crafts to enhance our creativity. We also have friendly competitions in math. How the math competitions work is Ms. Krever gives us all a math problem that goes with our lesson, and everyone works it out. We hold our whiteboards up when we are finished and she tells us if we are correct. The first person to get it right tells other students if they’re correct or not and the second person to get it right goes up to the board to demonstrate how they found the answer to the problem. Sometimes she assigns bookends, which are students who know the material and are willing to walk around the classroom and help bookmarks, which are students who are having trouble with the material. The part I love most about Ms. Krever is the way she runs her classroom. As she told us at the beginning of the school year, “I can be your best friend or your worst enemy.” Ms. Krever is super nice when you get your work in on time and follow the rules. When you have missing assignments or break the rules, however, she’ll be on top of you until you fix your mistake.At my school, we have a program called “Reading Counts.” This program has a ton of books to take tests on, and each book is worth a certain amount of points. In sixth grade, you have to earn 60 reading counts points each trimester. If you get all of your points in on time and are a fourth, fifth, or sixth-grader, you get to go to an activity called City Day. During City Day, students bring in treats or toys they have bought or made. They can then run their store and buy other students’ items using class money. Ms. Krever gives us money when she catches us doing something good, like when the class is in a straight line or not talking. She also, however, has us pay $60 rent every month. If we don’t have the money, we have to borrow from someone else and miss a couple of recesses to repay them.
Nominated by Isabella Caudill
She is an excellent fun teacher to have. We domany great things like breakout boxes, we get to be bookends to help other students, we get to do things like roll the dice wednesday to see how many homework problems we have, we do fun math challenges, we get to do fun social studies activities like make pyramids, handbooks, and fun writings.
Nominated by Ryan Elcock
My teacher is a wonderful teacher and I am so glad I am in her class. She goes out of her ways to make sure her students have the best learning. She even had to miss Halloween! Some examples are, she often writes essays and has meetings for privileges in the classroom. Because of this we now have a iPad cart, surf chairs, and so much more. My teacher also got us a learning game called Vocabulary.com. She asked for five dollar donations and since we did not get enough funds, she covered the cost with her own money. She tries to make our learning fun and does many fun projects! Some projects are Egyptian Masks, Hennas, and Mummified Apples. My teacher also pushes us to be our best in everything. She finds different ways to help us learn in our different styles. For example she will sometimes do activities for auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learners. This way we all have a different way of leaning if we are better at one way. I am so glad to have my teacher!
Nominated by Audrey lam
The reason why I chose my teacher is that my teacher can be kind at times but also wanting for my class to succeed because she cares for our education and to have 7th grade easy for all of our class while trying to make learning as fun as possible so we’ll be willing to do it and make us gain more knowledge than we use to have than before.
Nominated by Spencer Chambers
Beginning of the school year, I have known her since my sister hadher when she was in sixth grade. She is a wonderful teacher ,and she had been a good teacher to a student teacher in our class. She is funny ,smart ,nice ,sometimes wicked , and the best to the whole class. It is a crime to not have her as one of the best teacher in our school. She is loving and caring.She has a nickname in the queen which is the mean in her which I hardly see for it is the students fault.
Nominated by JonathanZemichael
Jean Krever is very careful and happy about teaching. She always helps the whole class succeed while never slowing anything down either. All her lessons are very fun while also teaching us many things that we didn’t know.
Nominated by Hoang-Ngoc Nguyen-Ho
My teacher is great! She works hard in everything she does and tries to make sure we have our best education. She even skipped Halloween to get privileges in our classroom. She got us a very good website called Vocab.com. It allows us to learn our vocab in a fun game. Ms. Krever asked for donations and we did not have enough so she cover the cost. Ms. Krever got us surf chairs, a I pad cart, and so many things. She does fun projects like 3D maps, virtual reality, Egyptian masks, henna tattoos, and lots more. I love my teacher!
Nominated by Audrey Lam
Ms. Krever is an enjoyable and pleasant teacher to have. She does her best to keep all her students motivated for school and high spirited. One month ago, she gave everybody the good news of having an IPad cart in the classroom. The bad news though, was that she couldn’t make it to the Halloween party because she had to go to a meeting in order to get the IPads. This shows that she cares for what her class gets and just doesn’t turn it down for a Halloween party or anything.There are kids who likes to do their work on the floor but they can’t write on their papers otherwise they have a book, clip board, or a tiled floor. It could also be very uncomfortable to be sitting on the floor if your bottom is so used to the chair. Ms. Krever got these things called surf-chairs for her students to sit on. it’s a movable desk! You sit on one side of the surf-chair while your the paper your writing on is on top of the table stuck together with the chair. You could go anywhere in the classroom and work with this one of kind portable desk! The bottom of the desk of what you are sitting on feels like a chair . So now your bottom isn’t screaming in pain at you anymore!
Nominated by Sophia Nguyen
Anne Lawrence
Early College High School
Anne Lawrence has had a great 2019 year as a teacher at Early College High School based in Costa Mesa. As Principal, you are always appreciative of educators who go above and beyond their teaching duties to ensure students are successful. In addition to serving as our Sophomore and Senior English teacher at ECHS, Mrs. Lawrence also serves as our AVID Senior Seminar teacher. She attended AVID Summer Institute this past summer to develop her understanding of AVID and enhance the curriculum/instruction that occurs in these classes in order to best support our 4-year college bound Seniors with their FAFSA, college applications and organizing their letters of recommendation.Mrs. Lawrence also serves as our Sophomore Non-Profit Project and Senior Exit Experience Project Coordinators. These are projects that all Sophomores and Seniors are expected to complete while at ECHS. The Sophomore Non-Profit Project is a project-based learning experience whereby Sophomores work in groups to create and present at a fair on a non-profit organization they have created that will be intended to benefit our community. The Senior Exit Experience Project is a graduation requirement that is done throughout the Senior year that culminates in the our Seniors individually presenting to a panel their choice of career exploration and learning stretch they experienced during this Senior year in that field.What makes Mrs. Lawrence an invaluable resource at our site is here availability to assist our students during her conference and lunch times. Although she is done teaching at 2:30 P.M. every day, she is available to students until 4:00 P.M. daily to assist them with their essay drafts and written responses to prompts. She also makes herself available during lunch time to assist students who have similar needs.Mrs. Lawrence has been critical in working with our students in developing their English Language Arts skills since the new CAASPP exams have been in place over the last 5 years. To date, over 94% of our students have met or exceeded proficiency on the ELA tests which is a new high for our school. This surpassed the last high of 89% which occurred last year. For us, this means that 45 out our 48 students met standard at the end of their Junior year in English Language Arts. Much of this has to do with Mrs. Lawrence’s ability to engage our students to read and learn with mastering the ELA content standards.
Nominated by Dave Martinez
Alice Lee
Fairmont Private School
Mrs. Lee is loved by all of the students, parents and faculty!Never in my life have I seen younger students, current students and older students come to stop by just to visit a past teacher or a teacher they have never even had before just to “check -in “ and talk about how it’s going for them. Mrs. Lee is always there -no matter what is going on to invite the children in with open arms “literally”! She is a “hugger” for sure! She even gives the parents hug if they just look like they could use one!!❤️My son was overwhelmed one year when he learned he had Honors math and was very emotional and so nervous of the math work ahead of him- he would not want to go to school and would cry! I was ready to call it quits and ask for him to be removed from a math class that cognitively he could handle but not emotionally. Mrs. Lee handled this with such LOVE, CARING and CONCERN for not the school work but for my son’s mental health -putting any academics on the back burner and showing John ( and myself) that HE is important first and everything else second. With that- It took my son 1 week in Honors class with Mrs. Lee and he was the happiest kid in that class, doing well! I mean, who is happy in MATH CLASS!!! 😜In short- Mrs.Lee is warm, kind, smart and a human that puts other humans hearts first. She is the definition of what a teacher should be. One I wish I’d had 🙂
Nominated by KatinaConfrey
Angela Lee
Raymund Elementary School
Mrs. Angela Lee is an exemplary elementary school teacher. She is a blessing for a parent like me who are always worried about the welfare of our kids. Having her as my kids’ current and former teachers, I am at peace that someone is taking care not just my kids academic performance but teaching with a heart. I myself as an educator, is very inspired as how Mrs. Lee treated her students as her own. My kids become an early riser and always excited to go to school because of her. After school, my kids were excited to tell me the things they learned and exciting activities they did in her class. My kids were so proud when their names written in a clothes pin will be clipped in Mrs. Lee’s clothes for doing a great job.My kids are not book lovers before but now I am always surprised that they requesting me to go to library to read more. My kids academic performance improved drastically because of her. I believe that her love, passion, hard work, patience and joy in teaching really embodied an inspirational and model teacher of Orange County. I highly recommend her to be one of the Top Teachers of Orange County.
Nominated by Mary Ann Palencia
Joshua Lerch
Anneliese’s School
Joshua is truly transformative for the upper-elementary aged children (4th and 5th grade). His artistry and creativity inspire them in unimaginable ways. Through transforming the ceiling of their classroom into a planetarium, fostering injured seals, creating a movie about the revolution he brings together art, history, and science into projects. Students are constantly challenged and encouraged to be proactive in helping the environment. Students from all friend groups come together as a community in his class. The math he teaches them is advanced, but attainable. Students who formerly shied away from the subject start to shine through his use of Singapore Math techniques. It is rare to have a male elementary school teacher and he serves as a firm yet kind role model who holds the students to a high standard of self-conduct and respect which they take with them for years to come.
Nominated by Tanya N
Jennifer Lester
Tijeras Creek Elementary
My son has shown more interest in academics and school now because he loves his teacher. She’s inspired him so much, it’s fantastic.
Nominated by Nuritza Landgreen
Kimberly Lewis
El Morro Elementary
“She’s willing to do anything to make her kids strong. She wants to know more about each child and have a good relationship with each kid.” – Everett Lewis (5th grade – has her last year) “She is always willing to help everyone and when a child is sad, she’s always there for them and talk them through it with patience. She’s awesome.”- Emma Lewis (4th grade – currently in her class)
Nominated by Kimberly Lewis
Traci Logan
Castille Elementary
We love Mrs. Logan!She really knows her stuff and has a good read on all her kiddos.She is patient and kind with them and helps them make such good progress with each month.It was our daughters first year going to school every day and also full day and it was a tough transition for her at first but Mrs. Logan was so sweet and understanding and helped her through her fear of using the potty by herself to making new friends to just about everything else.We hope you’ll feature her as a special teacher 🙂
Nominated by Leanne Lasnier
Francis Mackay
Bathgate Elementary School
Mrs Mackay is a phenomenal teacher! She is full of ressources! She took care of setting up our school Stem Lab.She have the children work in small groups all the time and challenge their imagination with really fun projects. She takes care of the children who needs extra help and bring naturally the clever students to the next level of their capacity. The children learn how to be more independent and responsible. Both my children love her so much and enjoy her teaching.Thank you Mrs Mackay!
Nominated by Nancy Lavigne
Juliana Mazzera
Dwyer Middle School
Ms. Juliana Mazzera is a phenomenal science teacher! She currently teaches 7th grade science and special education collaborative science. Her passion is truly doing what is best for students every day. She is a super positive cheerleader for all kids and students delight in coming to her classroom. The tone she sets in her room is so inviting and cheerful that students come during lunch and after school just to hang out.Ms. Mazzera has made such an impact on our campus in that she models greatness for all. She was in our main building that was modernized with all new furniture and technology last year. She learned new strategies to use with students and put them into play every day. This year, she was asked to move to another building that was newly modernized. Here she became a leader and helped other teachers through the difficult transition to not only all new classrooms, but also the transition of standards to Next Generation Science Standards. She is always willing to help out another teacher before school to get their technology working or to plan with her team to try innovative lessons. She also serves on our school’s Positive Behavior and Intervention Supports (PBIS) team and has been instrumental in the branding and design of our school core values of GRIT (Gratitude, Responsibility, Integrity, and Tenacity).Students in Ms. Mazzeras’ classes learn so much in a variety of engaging ways. She is truly bringing in 21st Century skills by allowing students to choose the way they learn. She uses her touch board and Chromebooks to have students experience things like virtual dissections, FlipGRids to record their thinking, and collaborative Google Docs to work together on presentations. Students also have lots of opportunities for hands-on labs in her room, such a frog dissections and muscle tests. I am most impressed that students always seem joyous through all the tough learning in her room. Ms. Mazzera also forges true relationships with students through overnight camp experiences. Once a year, she helps chaperone our Catalina trip, in which approximately 70 students spend 2 nights immersed in real-life learning.Overall, Ms. Mazzera is the teacher that any student would love to have and any parent would appreciate the bond and enthusiasm for school she creates. She is a top Dwyer Jr. Oiler!
Nominated by Christa Glembocki
Geri McBride
Golden Elementary
Hello, I would like to nominate Mrs. McBride because she goes more than beyond helping students and giving them support. She guides them and gives them strategies to succeed at school and in their social environment. My son’s 6th-grade year was the best ever. Due to the dedication of Mrs. McBride towards my son. My son has ADHD, teachers have a different perspective, believe me, I have been there.I am forever grateful to Mrs. McBride, she made my son like school and appreciate school and of course, have the best teacher in the universe, as he said once. Thank you, Katia Martinez
Nominated by KatiaMartinez
Christee McCarthy
Tijeras Creek Elementary
Mrs McCarthy is an amazing teacher. My daughter absolutely blossomed in her class, and was ecstatic to have her for a 2nd year. Her reading had been struggling and Mrs McCarthy’s extensive training and experience paved the way for our daughter to grow and gain confidence and ultimately has grown to love reading. Our daughter was nurtured and appreciated for all of her contributions to class, from the arts to math and science. Mrs McCarthy’s devotion and passion is evident every time you speak to her or hear her addressing a group. So many parents have told me how much they love her too and how their child grew. Our school was so fortunate to hire her last year and I cannot express enough how grateful I am that such a high quality person was there for my child last year and now again this year. If every teacher could be like her, wow, the places we could go.
Nominated by Amy Yang
Seth McCraw
Friends Christian Elementary School
Gooooal!Mr. McCraw is well known for amplifying the passion students have for street hockey, teaching himself the game, creating and coaching an afterschool street hockey program at the middle school for his former students, his ability to embrace change, and his humor.Friends Christian (FC) Elementary School is a celebrated Anaheim Ducks Read to Achieve partner who has been actively enrolling students in their SCORE and Street Hockey programs.In fact, the Ducks placed a semi-permanent hockey rink on the FC Elementary campus in recognition and celebration of Mr. McCraw’s and the school’s commitment to student success. The students enjoy street hockey so much, they were honestly sad to leave and promote on to middle school.In an extraordinary, lead by example attitude, Mr. McCraw joined an adult hockey team to learn the game.With is new found knowledge, he established and coaches three hockey programs at the FC Middle School, on his own time.He did all this so his students’ passion could follow them after they promoted to middle school!This motivation is the norm for Mr. McCraw who is on his sixth year of teaching at FC Elementary School where he teaches Physical Education (PE).Being a certificated teacher, whose responsibility is meeting the PE requirements of every single student, he finds joy in mixing humor and embracing change.He is a positive change agent and brings innovation through various program improvements such as teaching K-4 students sports such as flag football, street hockey, and soccer but also recognizing these may not be a fit for every student.So, he has reached out to community partners to teach karate and dance.To round out the already robust program, Mr. McCraw suggested the addition of a nutrition component to the PE curriculum.Mr. McCraw is teaching students much more than a sport or aspects of physical well-being.He teaches them life lessons.Students learn what it means to be a team player and how to win and lose gracefully.With this type dedication to the students, staff, school, and community, it’s clear why he is so valued at his school.Ultimately, he is admired for his ability to build positive relationships and make lasting connections with students and staff.With humor and relatability he makes every student feel welcomed and cherished, which is why he is an outstanding candidate for OC Parent Magazine’s Teacher of the Year.
Nominated by Stacey Shun
Lukas McGlasson
Calvary Christian School
Mr. Lukas McGlasson inspires students with his high level of engagement. As a teacher of fives years, he intentionally connects with students in order to build relationships. He establishes positive learning environments by focusing on effective and efficient methods of teaching while focusing on the individual needs of each student.Mr. McGlasson is an integral part of our technology committee. He lead the updating of our technology plan due to his training and attendance at CUE and other tech-related conferences. Through his professional development, Mr. McGlasson implements relevant strategies to engage learners. Lukas empowers students to create videos that support and connect to the study of history and science. Students, in the second grade, enjoy utilizing green screens to reenact historical events from the Greek and Roman time periods they study at Calvary Christian School. Mr. McGlasson employs the use of Osmos in the classroom as an advanced technology tool that bridges the real and digital realm through unique educational games focused on mathematical and spelling skills.Mr. McGlasson provided our faculty and staff with training on the SAMR model. Teachers are moving to the stages of modification and redefinition which will enable them to utilize technology in a purposeful way. Mr. McGlasson pushes into classrooms to model lessons that enable teachers to see how to implement the SAMR model through the design and development of lessons focused on digital learning experiences.As an educator, Mr. McGlasson places a high value on serving the local and global community. He coaches, mentors and leads students to grow as learners both academically and athletically. While teaching second grade, he steps up into the middle school realm by leading students at outdoor education and on mission trips. Mr. McGlasson will be leading his second trip to Ecuador where he uses his relational gifts to lead students in understanding the value of serving people in need. Lukas helped the students organize fundraisers and provided opportunities to their practice Spanish. Using his gift of music enables Mr. McGlasson to reach the hearts of the students and the people of Ecuador and his school community.Mr. McGlasson stands out as an educator who is all-in. He gives of his time and talents day and night. Be careful when you walk in his classroom as there just might be “snowballs” flying from one side of the classroom to another.
Nominated by Leah Hess
Lori McMullin
Vessels Elementary School
Mrs. McMullin is a dynamic 4th grade teacher and leads the charge in the promotion of a positive school culture at Vessels. She is a dedicated professional that truly goes the extra mile for the students, staff, and parent community. Lori is highly skilled at academic instruction and meets the needs of all students daily. She knows that teaching should not be a one size fits all approach and is an expert at differentiation and small group instruction. Shetakes the time to truly know her students and builds a strong foundation of trust to ensure that students feel safe, respected, and valued. Mrs. McMullin’s impact is felt far beyond her classroom walls. She always does whatever it takes to ensure that students have an unforgettable grade school experience. Her work day does not begin and end during her contractual hours. She works tirelessly to make the school a better place and has volunteered to be on the Vessels Leadership Team. As one of the leaders she is a guiding light and helps to steer our team to focus on best practices. She also has also been instrumental in the Vessels oratorical contest and bringing a Disney Musical to the school this year.She is truly a blessing to the Cypress community and to Vessels. In a word, Mrs. McMullin is truly “amazing!”
Nominated by Mark Holman
Amy McTeggart
Macy Elementary
Mrs. McTeggart is a bright light on campus.She always has a smile and goes the extra mile for her students.It is not uncommon to see her dressed as a hundred year old woman for the 100th day of school or in her best “Dr. Seuss gear” for Read Across America. Just recently, instead of simply reading Stella Luna to her class, Mrs. McTeggart dressed as a bat and converted her classroom into a bat cave!In addition to being an amazing teacher who always goes above and beyond for her students, she is a positive influence on the school as a whole. She is constantly leaving inspirational messages in sidewalk chalk for the students and special positive affirmations for the staff on the bathroom mirrors. When the staff mood was at alow, Amy began implementing the “Woot Woot Wagon”. This is an occasional treat that she and the principal bring around to the classroom so that teachers can have a little pick-me-up snack and drink during the day.It has worked wonders for our morale!In addition to being great for the culture of our school, Mrs. McTeggart is a great teacher.She teaches 1st grade and gives her students a solid base for learning skills throughout their academic careers.Mrs. McTeggart is an inspirational presence on our school campus, as well as a life-impacting teacher.This is why she deserves to be recognized as a Top Teacher of Orange County.
Nominated by Kelly Higgins
Maura Miles
La Madera Elementary
To whom it May Concern:I write this email in hopes that Maura Miles, the current teacher for the SVUSD’s Autism Behavior Intervention Classroom (ABIC) at La Madera Elementary in Lake Forest, CA, gets the recognition she deserves for the incredible work she and her colleagues have done with my son Aidan and all of the children in the ABIC program since she started it over 3 years ago.Mrs. Miles has been teaching a core group of children on the Autism Spectrum for over 3 years now and the classroom she runs has been absolutely amazing.This class does not come with out its incredibly unique challenges.Each child in the classroom has their own difficulties that must be addressed on a 1 on 1 basis and many of the kids are in different educational grade levels from 1-6 grade.Despite these hurdles she has somehow transformed her class into a place each student thrives in.I’m not sure anything I tell you about Mrs. Miles will come close to painting an accurate picture of the hard work she and her assistants have put in on a daily basis.It is that dedication that has led my son after 3 years to slowly begin to begin attending (in small doses) a classroom of general education students of his age and grade level.When my son found out he was going to begin learning with the other kids he smiled, gave me a hug, and exclaimed “I’m going to have so many new friends daddy!”It was this excitement that led me to researching how to publicly recognize the ABIC class within SVUSD.Hearing my son express his excitement of joining a general education class, if only for a few minutes each day meant everything to me.I work in law enforcement and see people daily dedicating themselves to improving their community.Many people speak publicly about how first responders are their heroes.Well I wanted everyone to know that Mrs. Miles and her classroom aides are my heroes.They have helped change my sons ability to communicate with his dad, they have made him feel loved, they have showed up to work exhausted and still greeted the students with smiles, and most importantly they have allowed my son to exclaim his excitement to feel included and make new friends.If that isn’t a hero I don’t know what is.
Nominated by LukeRasmussen
Afsaneh Miller
Fairmont Preparatory Academy
Dr. Afsaneh Miller has been a science teacher at Fairmont, both at the junior high and now at the Prep Academy high school, for the past several years. In that time, she has elevated our science program by implementing project-based learning in an amazingly effective and engaging way. Her approach to teaching science has raised our science test scores to levels well above independent school norms, and her loving and supportive manner of engaging students has made her a favorite with students and parents. Students shared in their annual survey that they appreciate how she gives helpful feedback that improves their learning, utilizes technology to help enhance the curriculum, all the while holding them to high standards. One student said, “All my teachers, especially Mrs. Miller, hold me to very high standards and encourage me to push my understanding.” To top it off, Dr. Miller stands as an example to all of us of the importance of life-long learning – she completed her doctorate in education this year, and we are all so proud of her accomplishment.
Nominated by Kelly Robinette
Denise Miller
Heritage Oak Private Education
Miss Denise Miller is a one-of-a-kind teacher who has stepped in whenever necessary to offer her assistance wherever needed. A jack-of-all trades, she has happily taken on multiple roles within the Heritage Oak community, consistently going above and beyond for her coworkers and her students. She began working at Heritage Oak in the spring of 2013 as the 6th-8th grade debate teacher and 8th grade Personal Learning Plan Advisor and additionally took on the role as educational programs coordinator, responsible for the standardized testing process, grade reporting and report cards, and other areas. In fall 2016, she stepped in as the long-term sub for middle school math class, then transitioned in spring 2017 to become the full-time 7th grade language arts teacher as well as the 7th and 8th grade debate teacher. In 2019, she added science co-teacher to her resume. Prior to working at Heritage Oak, Miss Miller was a middle school language arts and debate teacher and she also has taught elementary-middle school computers/technology.While Miss Miller has experience teaching a multitude of subjects, her favorite subject to teach is literature. She loves being able to shape students’ love of reading, critical thinking, and analysis because it is valuable to who they become over their lifetime. She feels that reaching a student through personal connections helps her to become a better teacher. Getting to know each student allows her to better see how they learn, which helps her adapt and change lessons to suit the needs of the student. Miss Miller collaborates with her language arts co-teachers to explore new ways to teach these concepts. From “flipping the classroom” to “escape room” activities, she is always working to keep lessons interesting. Each year, she also requests feedback from her students and adjusts based on their wants and needs. Miss Miller is an active member of the Heritage Oak and Spring Education teaching community outside the language arts classroom. She is one of Spring Education’s Vanguard Teachers who actively incorporate technology in their curriculum and present these ideas and techniques to colleagues at home and across the country. Her Leader in Me program teaching leadership skills to students as teacher aids, and she is one of the middle school graduation and promotion event coordinators, as well as serve as the middle school “go-to” technology guru. Her administrators and colleagues respect and appreciate her multi-talented ways.
Nominated by Shawna Rhebergen
Margie Mohiuddin
Las Flores Elementary School
Ms. Margie has been a godsend for my four-year-old son, Mikey. We tried putting him in private school and they weren’t accepting of him there because he is so active. We started Mikey in the SEALS program at Las Flores and he has flourished in large part because he has been lovingly accepted by Ms. Margie and her team. This group is the most patient group out there, and I know the kids don’t make it easy. There was an issue with my son one day in the last school year and so I observed him in class. It was so fun and vibrant and the kids were dancing and smiling, which made me realize how special the teachers are to create this type of environment. Ms. Margie also invites the parents for Halloween parties, which are so much fun. They organize special projects for us to do with the kids and make it very festive. I know Ms. Margie mentors other teachers that teach in the SEALS program because she has been so successful. She has encouraged some of them to stick with the profession even though it can be so tough, but I know she realizes how rewarding it is. These teachers make such a positive impact on these kids lives at such a critical point in their development. Ms. Margie is later in her career, but because of her desire to continue learning she is in a masters program at Cal State Fullerton where she is learning how to teach literacy since she realizes how important this is in our community. I recently ran into the our principle who had just observed Ms. Margie in her class. She and I agreed that Ms. Margie is special. The principle noted that these teacher’s jobs are much more difficult than being in administration. She also agreed Ms. Margie would be a wonderful candidate for this award. She is setting the bar so high for my son’s future teachers I know it will be inevitable for me to be disappointed. Ms. Margie is a rare gem, and if there were more loving, passionate, competent individuals like her in the world it would be a much better place!
Nominated by Margaret Moodian
Elizabeth Morris
Ladera Ranch Elementary
Miss. Morris is such a sweet teacher. She shows her love to each and every child and never judges. She really cares that each child learns.A good listener and patience. It’s really nice to have had my child in her class . To have such a passion for her kids and her class and her school is just amazing. I think Elizabeth Morris deserves recognition for the wonderful teacher and wonderful person she is.
Nominated by Julie Patrick
Mary Mulligan
TVT
Ms. Mulligan is the teacher you wanted when you were in second grade.All her students love Ms. Mulligan as much as she loves them.She is nurturing, supportive, and cares deeply for her student’s well being.She always has a kind word for every student.She customizes her teaching style to each student to get the best out of them.She always has a smile on her face and greets her students in the morning with a handshake and a “Good Morning”.Character is as important as academics for Ms. Mulligan.She not only teaches her students how to add or read, but she teaches them how to be good citizens.Ms. Mulligan also loves gardening and science and shares these passions with her students.In fact, there is a small school garden that she and her students take care of.This is just one example of how Ms. Mulligan applies real world exercises to her curriculum.
Nominated by Ilanit Marzouk
Katie Nicol
Don Juan Avila Middle School
Ms. Katie Nicol is the epitome of a professional, compassionate and effective teacher.She is a leader in the classroom, campus and in our community.Ms. Nicol is a veteran teacher, however, approaches each school year with fresh eyes and professional curiosity to improve her craft for the sake of her students.She is continually using student feedback and data to refine her practices to meet the individual needs of her students.She offers rigor, but with caring support so all her students can achieve at high levels.Not only is Ms. Nicole dynamic in the classroom, but she is an amazing colleague and supporter of other teachers.She radiates positive energy that is essential and infectious to our school culture.She is quick to look for the positive in any situation and finds ways to build the morale of those around her.She is visible at all school activities and is often one of the first to volunteer to help with a project or student initiative.Ms. Nicol serves at the coordinator of our Positive Behavior Intervention System (PBIS). This extremely important role requires her to organize and guide a coalition of school stakeholders to build a positive school culture to promote a healthy school climate.Her diligence in this area has led to our student detentions, suspensions, and instances of disruption to drop dramatically.This achievement was highlighted by our school being recognized as a PBIS Gold Level school.Simply put, Ms. Nicol is the best of the best.Her deep passion for students is seen in everything she does on campus.She is the teacher that all students love, parents adore and is a friend to all on campus.
Nominated by Manoj Mahindrakar
Kirk O’Neill
Saint Anne School
Mr. O’Neill has served Saint Anne School for the last 34 years as an Assistant Principal, beloved Social Studies and Math teacher for Grades 5-8.Mr. O’Neill has also coached every single sport offered at Saint Anne’s for Grades 4-8.Mr. O’Neill is now teaching the children of some of his former students and they come back to Saint Anne’s because of Mr. O’Neill and their trust in his skill as an educator for their children.Mr. O’Neill’s dedication to his students is evident in the way he presents his subject area, whether it is math or social studies.He brings props to class when studying different periods in history so students get hands on experience of artifacts of the eras he is covering.As an Assistant Principal, Mr. O’Neill is patient and takes his time in listening to students who may be sent to him.He is quick to give advice and strategies to help students improve their behavior in the future.He is a champion of his students and uses his talent to help them in any way that he can.Mr. O’Neill is often asked to be the MC or speak at different functions in the name of the school.He has great talent in speaking and eloquently represents Saint Anne School wherever he is.We are deeply grateful for Mr. O’Neill’s dedication, talents, and loyalty to the students and staff of Saint Anne School for 34 years of his life.
Nominated by Teresa Lynch
Kay Park
San Joaquin Elementary School
Mrs. Park is simply amazing!With a background as an instructional coach who lead teams of teachers with professional development, her leadership comes naturally and mutually compliments her passion and desire as a first-grade teacher.She brings her extensive training into the classroom and uses them a positive force multiplier to give her students a top notch learning experience.She starts each day with social emotional strategies to provide students with feelings of belonging and tranquility which them relax and flex their emotional strengths.Now that students are ready to fill their hearts and minds with academic knowledge and self-efficacy, she engages them with lessons that tap into their many modes of learning. To provide students with multiple avenues of learning, she covers our curriculum with rigor and fidelity, but also provides extensions to their leaning which augments their experience.For example, students amplify their mathematical learning with math manipulatives that allow students to also visually and kinesthetically group mathematical manipulatives while comprehending the mathematical reasoning behind the answers.But her magic doesn’t stop there.The success and popularity of her lessons had her volunteering peer coaching with teachers interested in learning about how she enhances her math lessons using manipulatives and guiding student academic discourse surrounding student mathematical discovery.She is also learning about 3D printing and plans to introduce her class to 3D printing design lessons in the near future. In the meantime, she is orchestrating a winter musical for her grade level and working with a community partner, a local dance studio, to teach the students dance movement and choreography all while being on our school’s AVID (Association Via Individual Determination) and PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Support) Committees.Her positivity and commitment to student success makes her our School Hero!
Nominated by David Shun
Jessica Parks
Red Hill Lutheran School
Mrs. Parks is such a wonderful teacher! She goes above and beyond the norm; she is enthusiastic, encouraging, humble and talented. She brings such life to her classroom with her students; I have watched my child bloom in just three months in her classroom. As a parent, it’s hard to have your kids away from you during the day–you worry about influences and things that they will face. With my child in Mrs. Parks class, I know that she is loved and cared for and encouraged to excel, and I am so thankful that we have Mrs. Parks this year! Red Hill Lutheran is a better place because of her!
Nominated by Katie Wyper
Katie Pickett Del Re
Gordon H Beatty
Mrs. Del Re was my 9 grader Son and my 4 grader Daughter Kindergarten Teacher, she is an exceptional Teacher , more than a teacher for our children , is an example of respect and admiration, as she few , there are simply no words that we can express what she is for our children and for us, because she is unique, and yes, we would never finish writing everything she means in the life of each of her students and us parents ,She was our Teacher of the year 2018_2019 , in a little words she is the best of the best in the all world…
Nominated by Claudia Islas
Katie Pickett Del Re is a Kindergarten Teacher at Beatty Elementary School, she is a brilliant Teacher , very dedicated to her work as she few Teachers exist because she deeply loves her profession. She is the best for her students , she is their superhero because she is strict with a strong character but very sweet at the same time , her students admire and respect her very much. To talk about her I would need to fill out sheets and sheets because she has that magic and that Don to teach that makes her unique , because apart from being a Teacher , she is an excellent human being and a wonderful person, She was in Beatty the Teacher of the Year 2018 – 2019 . I would never finish saying what she means to each student, to each parent and to everyone, because there are NO exact words to say how important and valuable she is to our lives in Beatty and then to her former students, Simply she is the best of the best in the all world, she is our angel, our beloved admired and respected, Ladies and Gentlemen she is Katie Pickett Del Re Our beautiful kindergarten Teacher , whom we love with all our hearts…
Nominated by Claudia Islas Chavez
Caroline Platt
LRES
Mrs. Platt exudes warmth and welcomeness. Her energy gets students excited about learning and wanting to succeed, and that energy helps them to realize their full potential.From day one, she makes sure every single student is comfortable and secure; she’s a real mama bear.For example, on the first day of school, I introduced her to my son, and she gave him a hug!I was so overjoyed that she would make him feel so welcome and secure.She assures the students that her class is a safe place to make mistakes, that you try try and try again.This encourages the students to support each other.She also has an open line of communication with the parents and students.When I’ve watched her teach, rather than just reading or memorizing essentially a script, she actually engages with the students, and blends in real-life discussions and current events, world events, into the lesson.She is the epitome of teaching with positive reinforcement rather than fear. She is truly a treasure!
Nominated by Niki Mendoza
Colin Priebe
Dwyer Middle School
Mr. Colin Priebe is a special education teacher at Dwyer Middle School who goes above and beyond for his students and parents.He is the epitome of a team player, acting as department lead for special education as well as being on the Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS) coaching team and the school site leadership team, to name just a few. Colin works closely with his students and parents to ensure the students are accessing curriculum as best they can.His goal is always to push kids to do their best while having a positive and caring environment.He recognizes the emotional needs that many of the students face and starts every class with yoga and mindful exercises so they can start their day fresh.He not only looks at the academics but understands that for a student to be successful, you need to address the whole child.Mr. Priebe is driven to always help improve his class so that he can improve the students skill set.He is constantly educating himself on the newest programs, procedures and technologies for the students benefit.He will attend trainings in the evenings and on weekends because it’s what you do, “better yourself to better others”, he is heard to say.He is a strong advocate for the students and works well with the parents, going back to the teamwork aspect.Students and parents love him and he is well known in the district, tutoring students that range from elementary to middle school.Each child is unique to him and he invests his time into supporting them.Mr. Priebe is so positive and truly wants what’s best for students.He often takes the most behavior challenged students under his wing to provide them with a positive role model, whether they are in his classes or not.The kids like him, respect him and more importantly connect with him, often when they need a connection most.He attends the school field trips with the kids such as Catalina and Yosemite and makes lasting bonds where the kids will come back to visit with him once they have moved to high school.He is truly a positive inspiration not only for the kids, but staff and parents alike.He is an asset to the community!
Nominated by Shannon Cronin-Miller
Jennifer Pulone
Landell Elementary
Mrs. Pulone is the epitome of a fantastic, caring and dedicated teacher. She provides nothing but her best efforts toward the students she serves. She provides dailyeducation services to students within both special and general education. Each moment within her day is spent to improve the educational well-being of her students, as well as being a viable asset to our school staff. She provides numerous strategies, resources and support items to fellow teachers in order to benefit our student population. She encourages staff, and provides her support whenever it is needed. In addition, Mrs. Pulone provides tremendous resources and guidance to families on campus by attending parent/teacher conferences for students on her caseload. She provides herself as a listening ear to concerned parent and staff. She makes herself available to any individual that may need her support. Her undying love for the teaching profession is sincerely felt on our campus. Her dedication and hard-work in benefiting students and staff appear come natural to her. Mrs. Pulone’s lovely demeanor, kind heart, and gentle spirit allow her to not only be a wonderful teacher, but an incredible colleague to work with.
Nominated by Brittany Gaus
Debbie Redenbaugh
Newhope Elementary
Mrs. Resenbaugh is a dedicated Teacher, supporting the educational advancement of a class of behaviorally challenged students, at a variety of grade levels, each requiring alternative behavioral structures that cannot be readily provided in a General Education classroom. She diligently studies the dynamics of the disorders of each of her students, and frames her approach to the students with the goal of guiding each student’s efforts to learn and sustain self control, respect for others, and enhanced focus on their respective academic goals. She communicates regularly with the parents of the students to keep them informed as to their child’s progress, and to encourage uniform support and interventions for the student’s efforts at home as in the school setting. Mrs. Redenbaugh gathers parents and professional resource personnel to collaborate on the development and reinforcement of short term and annual goals for those students whose circumstances qualify for Individualized Education Plans. Coupled with these professional skills, Mrs Redenbaugh demonstrates her empathy through her caring support to the students and their families as they struggle with circumstances which are evident in her students’ daily life experiences, and rarely seen with General Education students and their families. I have observed many Teachers at each school level throughout my career, and Mrs. Redenbaugh stands out as one of the best. I wholeheartedly recommend Mrs. Redenbaugh as a Teacher of the Year for the current school year 2019-2020. Thank you for extending thisopportunity to nominate her.
Nominated by RobertMalmberg
LisaRoot
Del Lago Elementary School
Mrs. Root is an amazing teacher she works so hard and is so organized. She has the first year with all day kindergarten and is rocking it never sweating the small things going with the flow of daily kindergarten activities while still getting to know and challenging each child’s needs. She teaches creativity and kindness. My daughter loves her curly haired twin teacher and thrives in her class every child needs Mrs Root in their life❤️
Nominated by DawnKalesh
Kyle Ruiz
Hermosa Drive Elementary
This was really a dual nomination for the 2 teachers who are piloting a co-teaching class at Hermosa Elementary. The class is mixed with higher functioning kids from special ed blended into one classroom with typical kids. Benefits are all kids get to have more help with the 2 teachers and aides. The special ed kids benefit from the social interaction and peer group work. I have a child with autism in this class and he is flourishing. It takes a teacher who is willing to go out of they’re comfort zone to accept a classroom like this and this is why Kyle Ruiz is a special teacher. Her co teacher Mrs. Wilson deserves just as much credit. I hope they both get considered as this is defiantly news worthy.
Nominated by Lawrence Houser
Rachel Sadler
Castille elementary school
Ms. Rachel Sadler is the most wonderful teacher I have ever met in my life. My son has been diagnosed with autistic tendencies and have been told that he has little to nothing improvement or success in his future. But Ms. Rachel did wonders and has been improving within 2!months of attending her class. Ms. Rachel looks and treats every kid special. She focuses and has a game plan and goal for each child. She warm and always happy to see the kids. She’s always laughing and encouraging. She is compassionate, friendly and honest with the parents or guardians.She makes time to answer and questions or concerns any parent or guardians have. Ms. Rachel also updates parents with every milestones or and tiny improvements the child makes. Ms. Rachel also addresses parents with any concern with professionalism and sincerity. She also makes sure that her staff are as dedicated as she is. If I could give a million votes for Ms. Rachel Sadler I would gladly do in a heartbeat!
Nominated by Cristina Chan
Ani Sarkissian
Ari Guiragos Minassian Armenian School
It is with great pleasure that I nominate Mrs. Ani Sarkissian to the Top Teacher of OC 2020 award, organized by Parenting OC. More commonly known as just Ms. Ani, this heart-warming educator has been teaching for 16 years, and has been with AGM for 8 years as a Language Arts and Social Studies teacher for 4th-6th grade students. She earned her B.A. from UCLA and her M.A. in Education from Pepperdine University. Ms. Ani takes pride in her learning space, transforming it into a warm and inviting center full of color and spirit. Her colleagues consistently turn to her for input and opportunities for collaboration. School parents trust her input and guidance. Our administration depends on her to lead critical efforts, such as our WASC accreditation. Most importantly, her students love her and through her guidance they grow as amazing young scholars.Ms. Ani has a unique ability to awaken a genuine passion for reading in all her students.Time and time again, Ms. Ani’s students leave her classroom with a newfound voracious appetite for reading. She finds creative ways of celebrating the students interests in different genres. Her class visits the library so often, we have to renew our collection annually! Her passion for novels is contagious and ignites a spirit of lifelong learning in our school.Ms. Ani also works hard to help students develop their unique voice as writers. She motivates her students to be creative and thoughtful writers, producing persuasive essays about real-world issues relevant to kids today. She encourages them and celebrates their work by reading their pieces to the entire school during our morning assemblies. One the most recent STAR reading test, Ms. Ani’s 4th graders scored at an average reading level of a 5th grader in the 5th month of school. Last year, her 6th grade student won 1st place in the Language and Literature category at the OC Academic Pentathlon, competing against dozens of other OC schools. As the advisor to our National Elementary Honor Society, Ms. Ani spearheaded a project with the OC Rescue Mission, to help students experience the importance of giving back to their community.At the heart of it all –both reading and writing –the magic of language is how it is used. Ms. Ani’s magic comes from inspiring students to use language mindfully, critically, and thoughtfully.Thank you!
Nominated by Sanan Shirinian
Nicole Sawyer
San Joaquin Elementary School
Mrs. Sawyer is a wonderful teacher kindergarten teacher.She is very motivated to see that her students learn and presents her lessons in very enthusiastic and dramatic ways.Her carefully planned lessons encourage all students to participate, fosters critical thinking and communication, and creativity and collaboration, all the while making learning fun. Her hands-on projects encourage classroom connections to the outdoors so students can apply what they learned.One outstanding example was a project connecting lesson content about what animals eat to making observation of birds by way of bird feeders the students made from rolling peanut butter and seeds together.Mrs. Sawyer’s creativity is also boundless with one specific activity coming mind: students are encouraged to say and touch sight words on the door as a “password” to exit thereby reinforcing their reading and vocabulary skills exponentially throughout the school year.With her intentional lesson designs and compassion for her students, she is making a dramatic impact with her students and laying a foundation of success in their formative years.Rounding out her outstanding service to our school and our students, she gives back to her community by being the Cub Scout Pack 727 leader for the last three years and is now currently the Den Leader for the Lion Program.She truly has a wonderful heart for our school and her community.
Nominated by David Shun
Greg Shadid
Bolsa Grande High School
Mr. Shadid is an absolute dynamo both in the classroom and outside of it. He has taught in the Garden Grove Unified School District for 38 years and, at 67 years old, he shows no signs of slowing down.Mr. Shadid is a revered, respected, and beloved member of the History/Social Science Department where he teaches all senior class students in his AP Civics classes.His course is very popular as he welcomes any and all students who want to take an Advanced Placement course and learn about the the US government and politics.Mr. Shadid encourages his students to have an open mind, to think critically, and to be problem solvers.Students in his AP class have some of the highest pass rates in the district on the AP Exam.Outside of the classroom he has worn many hats over the years: coach, club advisor, mentor, friend.Over the past few years, Mr. Shadid has partnered with University of California, Irvine’s faculty to facilitate the Saturday Academy of Law for 9th graders who are interested in learning more about America’s justice system and the law.He is always seeking ways to broaden the experiences of our students.He informs them of opportunities such as applying for a coveted student position working with Congressman Harley Rouda, and he responds to current student interests as in the recent formation of a Bolsa Grande Debate Club.Mr. Shadid is one of the most positive, kind, and caring teachers on our campus.He always has a smile for the students, a can-do attitude, and a helping hand for those in need.Several years ago, the building his classroom was in burned down.He lost everything.But through that awful experience, he taught us all the value of people versus things.He encouraged the staff, many of whom also lost precious items in the blaze, to focus on what we do have and to continue to lead our students into the future.Mr. Shadid has made a long-lasting impact on the Bolsa Grande community.
Nominated by Tracy Conway
Dan Shell
Foothill
Dan Shell is our department chair for the Career Technical Education and Visual and Performing Arts departments. Dan teaches introduction to Engineering as well as Photography and Visual Imagery. His background with ROP lead him to teach at Foothill 21 years ago and he has sustained a lasting impact on students and staff alike over that time. As a teacher, Dan engages some of our most challenging students. The program Dan oversees is funded through a California Partnership Academy grant which he applies for and manages and involves choosing cohorts of students to participate with various risk factors. As a result, the students that he generally works with through Engineering have struggled in school for one reason or another. For example, this year alone, Dan has several students diagnosed with emotional disturbance whose only maintstreamed class is Engineering. Upon entering his class, you see all students engaged in complex tasks and difficult software, building and designing projects. Dan’s patience and care is essential in this role, and he does not let his students down. His presence with his classes is calm and engaging and infuses his interactions with his students with humor and compassion. He also serves as the freshmen football coach, and this experience carries over into the classroom with the students he has on his team and the students he sees that can use a “coach” in the classroom to inspire learning. Parents know Dan by name and request him as a teacher as a result of his reputation of caring about his students and not allowing them to fail.As a staff member, Dan is inspirational. When he speaks to his fellow teachers, they listen. He is respected for his expertise as well as his character. Ending his twentieth year in the classroom, Dan was asked to volunteer himself for an in depth district academy that would take place after school throughout the next school year. Dan not only agreed to participate as a leader on our campus, but was inspired by the work and has taken on Project Based Learning with full enthusiasm and attention to detail. His willingness to do this, despite having years of material already planned, showed his dedication to his students. His work in education is selfless and his heart is dedicated to his students and our school. We’re very lucky to work with Dan.
Nominated by Michelle England
Liz Shenton
Tustin Memorial Academy
Mrs. Shenton is an inspirational and caring 3rd grade teacher and was a parent, PTO Secretary and a teacher at Tustin Memorial Academy for over 20 years. She has been the 3rd grade teacher for my two boys and she has a passion for hands on learning. She stands out among teachers because she makes every party and activity a learning activity. We don’t have a normal Halloween party without having fresh home made smoothies and baked muffins that the kids help to measure out recipes and follow directions and have the opportunity to drink and eat their results right away. Mrs. Shenton also involves her students in community project activities to donate goods where she makes shoeboxes to deliver to the needy every year for the holidays. She’s leads our TMA Times newspaper to help the kids with our quarterly school newspaper and she also serves as our Teacher representative for our Pacific Symphony Class Act Partnership. Mrs. Shenton is such a special teacher and goes above and beyond to inspire, teach and engage our students at TMA. I can say that both of my boys grew emotionally, academically and that learning new things at school and in life should be meaningful. Thank you Mrs. Shenton for touching the Pham Boys in so many ways and we are grateful for you as their teacher. We know that retirement is coming up in the near future and we wish you the best and hope that Parenting OC selects you as a TOP Teacher in OC because you are the TOP teacher to us!
Nominated by Mary Pham
Katie Shinrock
Huntington Christian
Ms Shinrock is more than a teacher. She’s the kids friend, sister, mentor. My son wakes up every morning super excited to go to school because of her. She’s very patient and loves her students. She is also kind and nurturing. She waits for the kids by the door every single morning with a big smile on her face and they have the option to either give her a hug, fist bump or high five. This is how they start their day with our amazing one of a kind teacher.
Nominated by SherineSomo
Siobhan Simmon
Marblehead Elementary
Mrs. Simmon currently teaches 1st grade.Her classroom is welcoming and child-centered, including flexible seating that allows students to choose a variety of options where they are able to learn and complete work best.She empowers students to take an active role in their own learning.Mutual respect is a key feature of her instruction.Mrs. Simmon builds strong foundational skills with her students, particularly in Math and Reading.In addition to her outstanding teaching, she serves on the school Instructional Leadership Team and as an English Language Development advisor.She works collaboratively with colleagues to meet the needs of all students.Mrs. Simmon is loved and admired by all.
Nominated by Faith Morris
Siu Kong Sit
Beckman High School
Mr. Sit (The one who teaches Robotics Club) is an educator worthy of recognition. You see, his twin brother also works as a science teacher at Beckman High School and is almost as wonderful but this Mr. Sit, Siu Kong Sit, takes the prize!Mr. Sit is extremely knowledgeable, dedicated, charismatic, and thoughtful. He is a rare treasure of a teacher. Dedicating countless hours toteaching his robotics students engineering principles, his door is always open for students to collaborate and work on their robotics skills. However, despite the time and dedication he pours into the students, it is the key life skills and character-building attributes he instills in his students that make him stand out from other teachers. His prize possession is the Sportsmanship Award, given to teams during robotics tournaments. He instills in his students that tournaments are not just about winning awards and titles, rather, the recognition for exhibiting kindness, teamwork, cooperation, and positive attitudes is more honorable than what the world recognizes as “success”. He teaches the students academic humility and that knowledge is to be shared to make the world a better place. When Beckman students win as tournament champions (which is not an uncommon occurrence) it makes the win not only sweeter, but with greater depth and meaning because they are valuing other character traits along the way. Mr. Sit is also extremely charismatic. His rather quiet and “serious” facial expression should not be misunderstood. He designs aprons and hats as team costumes for his “Robopatties” (Robotics Team Name) so that they can cook up some fun and skills at tournaments. Additionally, he has students dress up in formal attire for tournaments held on the day of Winter Formals and makes corsages made of robot parts for students to wear as they take “winter formal pictures” with their team robots. Costumes are worn by Mr. Sit, too, to help keep a light-hearted attitude on tournament days. In the spirit of Halloween, he dressed up as a giant blueberry in an inflatable costume and walked around the high school gym the entire day at the tournament! He is a kind-hearted teacher, remembering to celebrate his students’ birthdays, cooking turkey meals for Thanksgiving, and pouring all his energy into the success of his students. Without a doubt, Mr. Sit is one of the most special educators you will ever meet in this lifetime. Thank you.
Nominated by Kathy Okajima
Janis Slinkard
Capistrano Valley Christian School
Janis Slinkard is an amazing educator. She is the kind of teacher that makes her students and her campus better. Not only does she prove effective teaching by consistently getting passing AP scores in her classes, but she does so with a strong emphasis on relationship. If I were to take a poll of the high school student body and ask who their favorite teacher is, I can assure you that Janis Slinkard would be at the top. She pours into the lives of her students and her classes are richer for it.As a colleague and staff member, Janis is always ready to support and help. I have witnessed her on numerous occasions going above her job description to help other teachers in staff. She is also a natural encourager and seeks to lift up people at every opportunity. The staff loves to have her on the team because of her heart.Mrs. Slinkard has been at CVCS a long time and has touched numerous lives. The students love her and the staff values her. Janis is an educator that stirs the air of her classroom and the campus.
Nominated by Jeffrey Coleman
Courtney Smith
Irvine High School
During her tenure at Irvine High School, Ms. Smith has had a great impact not only on the students that she serves, but also on our staff culture.Ms. Smith has taken it upon herself to champion the efforts of staff members and has looked for means by which to promote opportunities to build community among us, thus enhancing our school culture.Ms. Smith has great vision and the ability to see the big picture along with the knowledge and experience to identify the intricacies needed to implement an action plan and follow through.I have seen Ms. Smith in action as the visionary to the implementer whether it be in the classroom, as the founder of our AP Macroeconomics program, an assistant cross country coach, our Sacramento Student Advocate advisor or as our Ed. Tech Mentor.Ms. Smith is an outstanding teacher and facilitator of instruction who has great rapport with her student. Ms. Smith constantly probes her students to access their reflective thinking.She is organized and thoughtful about how she scaffolds her lessons so that students can receive appropriate feedback in identifying areas that they need to further learn and explore.Outside of the classroom Ms. Smith volunteers her time and looks for opportunities that will provide students unique and real world experiences. Two examples of this include: Last year and again this year Ms. Smith’s partnering with the Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce and Webster University to work with a group of students in the development of an Ethics Forum.Under Ms. Smith’s advisement, students eagerly volunteered their time to look at various worldwide issues, research and develop a presentation of their responses to these ethical dilemmas in a public setting to the Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce and Webster University Staff.Recently, Ms. Smith reached out to The Distinguish Speaker Series in Orange County to access tickets for students to attend.Ms. Smith was successful in doing so and was able to chaperone a group of students to listen to Fr. Gregory Boyle and Anderson Cooper. Ms. Smith’s passion for her work whether it be to promote a positive culture among her colleagues or her desire to provide positive and unique experiences for students is remarkable and to be commended.This is why we believe Ms. Smith should be a candidate for this recognition.
Nominated by Monica Colunga
Matthew Smith
Red Hill Lutheran School
Mr. Smith is an outstanding teacher and person.His ability to simplify and communicate math to students is second to none.
Nominated by Jorge Hernandez
Mr. Matthew Smith has been my daughter’s Math teacher since 6th grade.She is now in 8th grade.My daughter has some difficulties in her academics especially in math.With Mr. Smith’s patience and knowledge in teaching, he continues to find ways to help her understand and grasp the difficult concepts of Algebra.He communicates with us to make sure that our daughter reaches her potential.
Nominated by Dianne Imperial
Me Smith is an amazing teacher, our son has now had him over 2 years and is really excelling in advanced math. He is a very patient teacher, explains the lesson very clearly .
Nominated by Sherry Selleck
Holly Smyth
Ladera Elementary
Holly might just be the best school secretary in the world. She is the heart and soul of Ladera and she is exceptionally skilled at her job. Not only does she do incredible work, she also does it with an infectious sense of humor and positive attitude. Holly is a Swiss-army knife type of employee who acts in many roles and does a little bit of everything on any given day. Our staff, students, and school community love Holly and appreciate her consistent positive presence on our campus. She definitely makes Ladera Elementary a better place.
Nominated by Dustin O’Malley
KristineSpencer
Acacia Elementary School
Miss Spencer is one of the most dedicated teachers I know. She goes above and beyond in countless ways truly impacting the students, parents and peer educators in our community.Two of my children were in her class and thrived academically, emotionally and socially.My daughter entered first grade as a new student to Acacia and by fostering friendship in the classroom, Miss Spencer helped her find a place among her peers and develop friendships that have carried through school years into junior high.In the classroom she encourages kindness, caring and inclusion, while also having high expectations and giving students the academic tools to succeed.She continuously finds ways to keep the students wanting more.She truly gets to know her students and notices who they are and what they need.As a parent, there are opportunities for volunteering, being involved and seeing her in action.I am amazed by her energy and motivation to continually look for exciting avenues to reach the students.Outside of the classroom, she is always involved, from showing up for fundraising events, to working classroom booths at the festival, to being involved in teacher performances at the variety show to revamping the teacher lounge to create an inviting environment for the staff.She’s there with a smile and the kids notice.The event that made me realize how special Miss Spencer was happened during my daughter’s first grade year when a classmate was diagnosed with childhood Leukemia.Without being asked, Miss Spencer immediately volunteered to become his Home Hospital Teacher. She continued his education through the end of 1st grade into 2nd grade until he was able to return to regular classroom instruction.She went to his home several days a week and made learning fun, even on some of his worst days. Without her, he would never have been able to have a smooth transition and continue to advance and thrive in his education. What a traumatic time for a family, but to have a teacher that is there for you in many ways can ease the burden of the journey.She attends the Gold Rush Cure Foundation Gala annually with this student and his family to show continued support.She shows support for all of her students, even after they leave her classroom.I can only hope that my kindergartener has the privilege of having Miss Spencer as his teacher.
Nominated by Melissa Freilich
Annie Stultz
Pacifica
Mrs Stultz is the teacher every parent wishes to have in their child’s academic career. She works hard and always finds the funny when she can. She expects excellence and shows her students how to achieve it. She goes above and beyond over and over again, year after year. Students want to bring their best to make her proud. She knows her students and knows about their lives, instead of just knowing the one side of them she sees in her class each day. They return after high school to visit and share in their successes.Annie Stultz has a large fan base and it would be wonderful for her to know just how much she is appreciated by so many.She is that teacher that her lucky students will remember when they are long past high school.I am so thankful that my son was fortunate enough to have landed in her classroom 2 years ago. She rules!
Nominated by Isabel Stevens
ShellySurridge
Salem Lutheran School
Mrs. Surridge is an amazing teacher! I know first hand having been a coworker withher many years and having both of my daughters go through her class. Now, as our Admissions Director, I have the privilege of bringing new families to her classroom. She spends 100% of her time here at school and gives 150% of her time to each of her students. She sets the bar extremely high when it comes to teaching and it shows anytime you walk in her classroom. Each student is engaged and loves learning because of her! She is a dynamic teacher and makes sure every student in her class is engaged and actively learning. Mrs. Surridge has many gifts, but one for sure is her passion for reading. As a parent, both of my girls are the readers they are today, because of her. She instills a love of reading in all her students and that stays with them, even after they graduate. She sets a time each day to meet one on one with her students. She uses this time to check in with them, see how they are doing and make sure they are mastering the concepts she wants learned. Any student that has Mrs. Surridge thrives in her class and becomes a better person. She is definitely a hero to me and to all of our families here at Salem. She actually just won Teacher of the Year in our district and we could not be more proud!
Nominated by Kasey Weinrich
Andi Suter
Serrano Intermediate School
Andi is an amazing teacher. She goes above and beyond for her students and her colleagues.She brings an immense enthusiasm for science to her classroom. This results in lessons that are engaging and challenging. I admire her because she is always learning and trying new things. Because of this, her classroom is an innovative and exciting place to learn.Andi has a student-centered classroom which provides her students with the freedom and opportunity to explore science rather than just learning science. Her students learn valuable life skills as they are learning science skills.Andi spends countless hours helping her coworkers grow and succeed in the teaching profession. She serves as the chair for the science department, she is leader in implementing the STEAM village at Serrano, she is a member of the textbook adoption committee, she has served as a BTSA mentor, and she has served as a union representative. Andi makes time for everyone even when she doesn’t have time for herself.Andi is the kind of teacher that other teachers aspire to be. Her dedication to students and her passion for teaching are evident to anyone who has the pleasure of being in her classroom.
Nominated by Holly Danielson
Susie Sweeney
St. Angela Merici Parish School
Mrs. Sweeney’s smile radiates joy on the campus at St. Angela Merici Parish School. She has been sharing this joy with her students and our entire school community for the past 12 years. Currently, our FABULOUS 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Sweeney provides an active and engaging learning environment for her students. One of her greatest joys in life is being a child’s advocate and helping them realize their own potential. Every student that leaves her class is excited about learning and feels proud of all their accomplishments. Mrs. Sweeney is best known for inspiring a love of reading in her students. Students enter Mrs. Sweeney’s class as beginning readers and by the end of the school year, they are thriving independent readers. Mrs. Sweeney creates this love of reading by reading aloud to the students, utilizing best teaching practices for early readers, small group centers, and perhaps most important, she prioritizes independent reading time in her daily schedule. Mrs. Sweeney allocates a minimum of 30 mins of independent reading time in the classroom and assigns a minimum of 15 minutes of reading time at home. She reminds parents that one of the best things they can do with their child is to read with them. During the school day, Mrs. Sweeney meets individually with each of her students to review their reading goals and focus on their areas of strength and areas needing growth. She motivates students to read with class popcorn parties. She has even been dunked in the dunk tank by her students that reached their reading goals. Any teacher that offers to get dunked in the dunk tank to inspire her students to read, definitely is well deserving of Top Teacher of the year!
Nominated by Vanessa Halliday
Christine Taglieri
Castille Elementary School
Mrs. Tag is so compassionate, and caring, while have such great teaching techniques.
Nominated by Jesmine Suko
Suzanne Tarnay-Kelly
Arroyo Elem School
Mrs. Tarnay-Kelly is the teacher that every parent wants in the lives of their children. She is organized, a great communicator, kind and sharing with her students and parents. Asking them all about not just the school day but what happens after school and on the weekends. She is someone who all new teachers should model themselves after since she is so gifted!
Nominated by Russel Buetow
Dana Taylor
Barbara Benson Elementary
Mrs. Taylor is a truly exceptional teacher.Her passion for teaching and love for her students can be seen every day. At a time when teachers are asked to do more than ever, with fewer resources, she manages to create a classroom environment that is welcoming, encouraging and challenging. She meets the children where they are developmentally, is ability focused, and actively promotes a growth mindset. Mrs. Taylor creates a warm and welcome classroom environment. She offers students a variety of seating options, knowing that some children learn better when standing or moving, than they do sitting still. While this may seem like a small action, to a child with a learning challenge this accommodation allows him or her to seek out the most comfortable place to learn.Mrs. Taylor works diligently to acknowledge the progress her students are making. One amazing example is the way she grades math tests. Mrs. Taylor’s graded math tests are a joy to read. She provides detailed positive feedback at each step of the problem. This allows parents and students to really see where the strength is and where the opportunity for improvement lies, within each individual problem. I cannot imagine how many hours she spends grading math tests. As a parent, I can tell you her approach is invaluable.Mrs.Taylor is always promoting a growth mindset with her students. She encourages them to work outside their comfort zone, putting any fear of failure to the side. Her students often work collaboratively, giving them the much needed experience with receiving feedback from peers. So often this feedback can be interpreted as a criticism.Bypromoting the growth mindset, Mrs. Taylor is teaching them to embrace feedback and use it to strengthen their learning. My own child has broken out of her shell, learning how to provide kind, clear and supportive feedback. She has also learned to accept feedback without becoming emotionally crushed. Mrs. Taylor is exceptionally hardworking, thoughtful and caring. As a mom to a child with several learning disabilities, to see my daughter excited to go to school every day makes my heart soar. To sit with my daughter at dinner and have her enthusiastically tell me what she learned at school is a gift I never thought I’d get. Mrs. Taylor has given me, and other parents, that gift. We need more Mrs. Taylors in our classrooms.
Nominated by Maura Mendez
Katey Thompson
San Joaquin Elementary School
Miss. Thompson is a driving force at our school, San Joaquin Elementary.Her dynamic leadership style leads her to develop, organize, launch, and maintain multiple program all at one.All of our students are positively impacted either as recipients or as participants in the programs such as Student Council, our School Newspaper “The Cheetah Print”, and The Coalition Student Leader program.Miss. Katey Thompson also heads up our “Cheetah Talk” ASB digital news broadcast where ASB students develop their own weekly news script, select a green screen backdrop, and then film their news report.The “Cheetah Talk” is then sent to all teachers to share with their students.This has been a great way to boost 21st Century engagement! This year, she has created a positively impactful program here at San Joaquin to boost awareness about the importance of kindness.This past month of November, she has helped San Joaquin cultivate a culture full of kindness towards their school, family and themselves! Students were invited to accept and carry out various kindness challenges, in addition to creating their own on top of those they had completed. The students who completed and created the most kindness challenges were “knighted” by Medieval Times’ Royal Family in front of the entire school.As if that weren’t enough, she is also our Elementary Chair, our Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) Committee Chair, and on our school Leadership Team.On top of it all, she is in an Educational Leadership Administrative Credential program.We don’t know where she finds the time or the energy, but we are truly appreciative of all her contributions.In fact, her positive impact on students were recognized when she received Saddleback Valley Unified School District’s Teacher of the Year Award.
Nominated by David Shun
Rebecca Tomes
Calvary Christian School
Rebecca Tomes has always had a passion for art and for the past 17 years she has served as an art teacher. Mrs. Tomes teaches art to K-5 and two art electives: ceramics and drawing and painting at Calvary Christian School. She has served students in after school programs and in middle and high schools as an art and ceramics teacher. Rebecca is very creative always researching new projects and ways to teach the skill of art. She is intentional about having each student develop an interest in and the ability for creative expression in visual terms, using skills and techniques of artistic expression consistent with school guidelines.Rebecca collaborates and partners with our classroom teachers and more recently our STREAM/Robotics teacher. We had a STREAM Night where students at each grade level prepared projects related to Mars. Rebecca assisted teachers in creating outstanding tri-fold board displays that beautifully captured the scientific method each grade level used in their study of Mars and Curiosity. Mrs. Tomes decorated each of the grade level’s tables with Mars-like decor. Mrs. Tomes plans and presents award winning artwork to exhibit monthly in our school office. She creates a beautiful display for each month’s project in frames and shadow boxes. Projects range from every grade level and art medium. Each of the pieces displayed in the front office has won a distinguished award and recognition from the Association of Christian Schools Association Art Contest. In order to prepare for the ACSI competition, Mrs. Tomes spends hours backing each piece of art work so that it represents the student’s work in a museum-quality.Mrs. Tomes evaluates each student’s art based on growth in knowledge and understanding of the concept. During a lesson, she breaks down the concept into manageable parts so that all of the students can be proud of their artwork. The education goes beyond drawing and painting, as they learn about the artist, his/her time period, and the history and culture surrounding the project or artist.Students at CCS have a safe and loving environment in which to pursue their interest in art. Students are able to express and explore their emotions and feelings in beautiful and creative ways and thus, they thrive. Children take risks and grow. We are grateful for the joy Mrs. Tomes brings to our school.
Nominated by Leah Hess
LauraTrotter
Lee Elementary School
Laura Trotter is the most passionate, dedicated educator I have EVER had the pleasure of working with.She is the first one on campus and the last one to leave.Not only is she an advocate for developing strong literacy and math skills in our youngest students, she is PASSIONATE about helping children develop healthy social-emotional skills.Threaded throughout her day are lessons to build self-regulation skills.On her own, she studied brain states and the research behind well-developed regulation skills in children.At our school site, she provides monthly professional development to ALL teachers to spread knowledge and strategies across campus in order to reach ALL students.When she has any free time, she is pulling groups of high-need students to role-play scenarios and teach them skills to regulate themselves when school and friends become overwhelming. She invites teachers in her room to demonstrate the language and strategies to use to build confidence in children.She gives up time in her own kindergarten room to coach teachers in their classrooms.Laura’s belief is that educators MUST develop a “school-family” where every student feels safe, loved and valued.Feeling safe, loved and valued allows a student’s brain to operate in the executive state–the state in which students are able to learn.She is single-handedly changing the climate of our school.Not only does she share this work with staff, she works with parents to build capacity within the home setting.The need to help our students cope, regulate emotions, and initiate and maintain positive interactions with others, is CRITICAL to their development. Laura is a true leader at our site and in invaluable member of our team.School is not easy…yet she pushes her self to be her best on behalf of her students.Pushing herself includes attending weekend workshops to grow as an instructional leader, attending student events to build connections, and creating lessons to model for other teachers eager to learn how to improve their craft.This is just a SMALL snapshot as to why Mrs. Trotter should be considered as an Orange County Top Teacher.She is a gift to us, our students and our community.Thank you for your consideration!
Nominated by Amy Laughlin
Michelle Valdez
Macy Elementary School
Mrs. Valdez has been a treasure to our school. She is innovative, fresh, and invested in her students. She has a modern approach to learning with traditional teaching structure at the core of her classroom. All her students enjoy the environment so much that they simply forget they are actually learning. She sets a high standard for fellow teachers to aspire to and I have seen growth amongst them thanks to her example. She is beyond deserving of this award and will represent the County of Orange remarkably!
Nominated by Johnna Moreno De La Torre
Mrs. Valdez is an amazing teacher who goes above & beyond for her students.You can tell she truly cares for each and everyone. She really try’s to find a way to help her kids learn. She is constantly giving her kids positive praise, Mrs Valdez has this way of getting them to work and learn by making it fun and interesting. Each day my son comes home excited about his day.It’s like she dissected his brain to see how he learns and made things fun and interesting for him. We Nominate Mrs. Valdez because she is more than worthy.
Nominated by GraceLopez
Maria Viers
St. Bonaventure School
I would like to proudly nominate Mrs. Viers, my daughter’s fifth grade teacher. Mrs. Viers works extremely hard to understand each individual student so that she can help them develop to be the best version of themselves. Her dedication to teaching and experience of over 20 years makes her an amazing teacher. She has a lot of patience, and her excitement about learning is passed on to the students.Mrs. Viers challenges her students each day to achieve the best work possible and simultaneously instills a love of learning. She must have a unique and refreshing way of teaching math, since math has now become my daughter’s favorite subject! Mrs. Viers has found a way to not only make her kids better students, but also better individuals.
Nominated by Anna Martinez
Mrs Viers is an amazing, dedicated teacher!She has a natural ability to connect with the students in such a genuine way, it impressive to watch. Having a daughter that struggles, school can be stressful for her. When I met with Mrs Viers for our parent conference, the first thing she said to be about my daughters struggles were “It’s important she doesn’t believe she is anything but awesome in this classroom. Her grades don’t identify who she is.”It felt like the weight of the world was lifted off ours shoulders, as we work really hard to build our daughters self esteem at home and we knew her 5th grade teacher was partnering with us in the classroom!She works closely with our daughter to make sure she is succeeding on a daily basis and it shows….our daughter loves school and feels successful!Heading into Jr High next year, this is the best feeling ever, thanks to Mrs. Viers!She is truly one of a kind and deserving of an honor!
Nominated by Molly Lalonde
Fernanda Villalba
San Juan Hills High School
I am nominating Ms. Villalba because she advocates for students that often don’t have someone to advocate for them.Many are the first generation considering college.The college search and application process is difficult for me and I am a college graduate.Some much has changed since I went through the process.But as least I have basic knowledge about college to support my teens.Ms. Villalba is there to help those who don’t as an AVID teacher.She goes above and beyond for her students.She also is one of the teachers who started the Bridges task force at San Juan Hills High School to build campus environments that are respectful of diversity where all students, staff and parents feel safe welcomed and respected.This organization strives to fill a very important need at our high school.Ms. Villalba really cares about her students.This is something that the students and parents can definitely feel.It is just so obvious.Of all of the wonderful things about Ms. Villalba as a teacher, this is the reason I nominated her.Feeling valued and cared about inspires her students to be their personal best.There are many students who have or will be the first in their family to attend college because of Ms. Villalba.There are many students who will have a less stressful or bullied high school experience because of Ms. Villalba.The campus is working to become a more welcoming place for all students, parents and faculty because of Ms. Villalba.She makes our campus a better place each day.Thank you.
Nominated by Julie Psotka
Melanie Vogel
Fairmont Private Schools Anaheim Hills Campus
Ms. Vogel is a campus favorite because of her positive energy, and how she supports each student uniquely to help them tap into their creativity. As our school’s art teacher, Ms. Vogel works with all of our students in elementary and junior high to create works of art that the students feel proud of. In addition to teaching at Fairmont, Ms. Vogel also teaches other teachers at Cal State Fullerton and prepares them to teach art in their own classrooms. Her warmth and genuine care for others makes students feel empowered to try their best–even when it may not feel comfortable, and even when they may not feel like they are good at something. Our school has talented artists because of Ms. Vogel. We also have compassionate artists because of Ms. Vogel. Thank you for considering her for this tremendous honor. She is so deserving.
Nominated by Jamie Bone
Keri Walden
Red Hill Lutheran School
Mrs Walden is the definition of excellence! She shows such compassion and genuine love for all her students. Taking the time to make sure they understand all concepts being taught. She sparks such a fire for learning in her students that I see in my son everyday. He has become so passionate about school and she feeds into children’s natural curiosity. She also gives her students independence that fosters responsibility that will help them to be very capable learners and adults! We all absolutely adore her!
Nominated by Stephanie Segovia
Monica Ward
Hicks Canyon Elementary
Mrs. Ward is a kind, loving, and passionate first grade teacher who is extremely innovative and differentiates her teaching to meet the needs of all of her students. She celebrates students successes no matter how big or small and sparks an excitement and love for learning in her 6 year olds. From Fri-“yay” celebrations of walk through readings of their classes published personal narrative writings, integration of technology and apps to promote phonemic awareness through word work, to incorporating social emotional learning through read alouds and introducing digital storytelling and movie making. She doesn’t just teach her students academically. She teaches the whole child – implementing PBIS in her daily routines and teaching communication and coping skills when dealing with emotions. Mrs. Ward was also a part of COTSEN as a fellow and worked for 3 years as a TOSA (teacher on special assignment) for COTSEN. Mrs. Ward comes with a wealth of knowledge in the field of teaching and it shows within her classroom and her individual students. In the past 3 months, I have seen so much growth in my child academically, emotionally, and socially. Most of all, Mrs. Ward has instilled a curiosity in my child that encourages him to seek further learning. My child LOVES school and can’t wait for what lessons Mrs. Ward has for him that day. And that is most important of all. Because of Mrs. Ward, my child has a fire ignited in him that has sparked a passion to learn and seek further knowledge. He’s eager when approaching challenges and loves school. One of the biggest obstacles Mrs. Ward helped my son overcome was his struggles with reading. He came into first grade reading below grade level and was considered “at-risk”. Reading with him at night was a struggle. Mrs. Ward worked with him one-on-one, in small groups, and whole group. He is now reading at grade level and loves reading any chance he can get. What use to be a battle is now a newfound love for our child. We have Mrs. Ward to thank for our child’s plethora of successes this early in the school year.
Nominated by Jesse Holmes
JulieWarren
The Pegasus School
Devoted science fair coach, beloved educator, and empowering role model, Mrs. Warren inspires her students to love the field of science. Several alumni have credited Mrs. Warren and her seventh-grade science class as the inspiration that fueled their dreams to become scientists, researchers, and doctors. In fact, many of her students have gone on to win several prestigious awards, including the Broadcom Masters Award, OC Science Fair Awards, and State Science Fair Awards. Planning engaging lessons and lab experiments, not a day goes by that Mrs. Warren doesn’t demonstrates enthusiasm for her subject and care for her students. Through her passion and work, she inspires her students to develop a strong appreciation for all life on Earth. I’ve watched her units on the systems of the human body not only allow her students to learn more about how their bodies work, but to understand the importance of caring for them. For example, her unit on nutrition motivates students to change their eating habits as they learn the science behind the nutrients in various food choices. Whether they are presenting skits about cell structure, competing in a review Jeopardy game, presenting research findings on a talk show panel, or dissecting a frog, her students love to participate in her hands-on, engaging learning environment. The lively atmosphere inspires students to ask questions and to learn more about the world around them.Mrs. Warren is enthusiastic and caring, and her kind nature is unmistakable. She clearly cares for all of her students. She tirelessly pours in the extra hours to ensure her students understand and can apply every concept. In addition, there isn’t a day that passes by that I don’t see her selflessly offering her best self in the service of her students. Mrs. Warren is this wonderful amalgam of an educator who goes above and beyond to cultivate the love of science and the joys of learning.
Nominated by JamesSwiger
Barbara Wells
San Joaquin Elementary School
Mrs. Wells is a wonderful teacher who strives to share her love of learning to all her students each and everyday.Using a supplemental science program, she engages her students with inquiry based lessons combined with hands on experiences that scaffold their learning to meet the needs of each and every student.But, her magic doesn’t stop there, she teaches writing through multiple avenues and one practice really stands out.She has students first independently write portions of a story, narrative, or informational piece, and then has them weave together a collaborative class writing project!Additionally, she is a valuable member of San Joaquin’s PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Support) Committee and shares her knowledge and passion for restorative options to help address the whole child and ensure they can be the best they can be.Mrs. Wells is truly an outstanding 3rd grade teacher.
Nominated by David Shun
Lauren Whalen
Hermosa Drive Elementary School
Besides teaching academics, Mrs Whalen also teaches good citizenship, respect, responsibility, and teamwork. Mrs Whalen knows every student and his/her family very well. Mrs Whalen gave good tips to my parents on how to help me read and learn better at home. She heads an after school training program preparing students for OC Kids Run, which I enjoyed last year. Learning is so fun in Mrs Whalen’s classroom. She plays fun games with students. Mrs Whalen keeps a beautiful aquarium so students would enjoy watching the fish and crawfish grow. Every spring Mrs Whalen would have chicks or baby ducks in the class for a month, so students could learn about them. At the end of every school year, she makes large personalized scrapbooks for her students, so they can keep the sweet memories of education. She also gave students music CDs with fun, rhyming songs. Mrs Whalen does something special – she hand writes postcards to students every summer, telling them what she is doing and wishing everyone a happy summer. Six years ago, Mrs Whalen foresaw the need for her first grade students to have access to iPads, and she applied for a grant. As a result, her students benefitted from the use of iPads at school. Mrs Whalen is good at assessing students’ abilities, strengths and weaknesses. When I was in first grade last year, my Dad thought I might have dyslexia because I wrote letter b or number 3 backward. My Mom sought Mrs Whalen’s feedback. She told my Mom not to worry. Based on her teaching experience, Mrs Whalen could tell that I did not have dyslexia. She was right. This year, I don’t write b or 3 backward anymore, and I am reading above grade level at an excellent speed. When Mrs Whalen taught my brother in first grade, she told my mother that he was most likely a gifted and talented (GATE) student. My Mom had never heard of GATE before, so she researched on it and learned how to optimize my brother’s education. When my brother was tested a year later, indeed he was tested as a GATE student (in the 99th percentile).I am fortunate to have had Mrs Whalen as my teacher because she saw my potential and talents before anyone did, she worked hard to bring the best out of me in learning, and she made learning fun.
Nominated by Elie Herdrich
Julienne Whiteman
Vessels Elementary
Julienne Whiteman has been a teacher for over twenty years and is a true asset to the Vessels community. She is the penultimate professional and improves the lives of the students she serves daily. She is a powerhouse of instruction in the classroom and prides herself on helping kids to become self-sufficient learners. She is a leader on campus and is always ready and willing to take on new responsibilities and modify instruction if it means helping the kids achieve and succeed. She has been instrumental in getting our new musical program off to an amazing start and stays late almost every night in order to ensure that the team is ready for the kids the next day. Julienne Whiteman is truly deserving of recognition and the Cypress community appreciates her for all of her hard work and effort over the years.Thank you, Julienne!
Nominated by Mark Holman
Cathy Wilson
Laguna Road
It is my distinct pleasure that I nominate Mrs. Cathy Wilson a 5th grade teacher at Laguna Road Elementary school for teacher of the year.In the course of observing Mrs. Wilson interaction with my daughter, as her teacher this year, I have noticed and appreciated her kind and caring nature. My daughter truly loves being in Mrs. Wilson class as she makes learning fun. In my daughters words, “she makes every student feel happy and cared for.” In addition, she teaches her students how to use their occasional set backs as stepping stones for future success and is very attentive to all her students individual needs. Mrs. Wilson truly exemplifies the epitome of what an outstanding teacher should be.Respectfully,Dr. Teriza Mekhail-Andreou
Nominated by Teriza Mekhail-Andreou
Heidi Worrell
St. Angela Merici Parish School
When you ask middle school students at St. Angela Merici Parish School what their favorite subject is, the majority of students will say “Social Studies”. The reason, Mrs. Heidi Worrell makes history come alive through her amazing ability to tell stories, utilize technology and most importantly, she cares about each and every one of her students. Mrs. Worrell goes above and beyond just teaching history basics. She takes history to a new level by showing the students how it applies to their everyday lives. She wears shirts like “Don’t make me repeat myself – History”. By teaching about the past, she believes she can change the future. Mrs. Worrell bravely takes all 36 of her 8th grade students to Washington DC for 8 days every year for the trip of a lifetime.This trip allows her students to see first hand where the United States colonies developed. Her students learn the American Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and World War I. Beyond US History, Mrs. Worrell is also extremely knowledgeable in the Medieval Era and Ancient Civilizations. With Mrs. Worrell’s incredible projects, interactive discussions and amazing field trips, it’s no doubt why students pick “Social Studies” as their favorite subject on our campus.
Nominated by Vanessa Halliday
Ashley Yonan
San Joaquin Elementary School
Mrs. Yonan is an outstanding First Grade teacher who integrates all the components of S.T.E.A.M. (Science Technology Engineering Art Mathematics) within the scope of her lessons.She’s had her students be junior engineers and designed H2O (water) powered cars, create digital pictures where “mini” sized students were swimming with turtles, or on the petal of a flower, using green screen camera wizardry, explore 3D printing and incorporates hands-on math lessons that help students access their kinesthetic abilities. She is launching a Winter Musical and has been instrumental in organizing the performance with other teachers and she has even enlisted the help of a local dance studio to add a dancing and choreography.Realizing that flexible seating furniture and arrangements will help maximize her STEAM teaching practices, she applied for and received a grant and additional STEAM items. With her passion for STEAM, she also hosted a green screen station San Joaquin’s STEAM Night where students could come and learn how to place themselves in movies and pictures with imaginative backgrounds like under the ocean or in space.As part of the Friday Night Live team, she host Friday Night Live club meetings before school where students come and work on activities that promote healthy lifestyles and she manages The Coalition, a student leadership team that coordinates activities at recess and helps solve conflicts. Mrs. Yonan is also on our school’s PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Support) Committee, School Site Council, and our Superintendent Council for certificated employees.But her enthusiasm doesn’t stop there, she is also an OC GRIP (Orange County Gang Reduction Intervention Program) mentor for students and she is very involved in providing her students an avenue to be involved in our community, such as writing letters to veterans.She is so dedicated to making a positive impact for all students, she doesn’t take a break during summer vacation and volunteers and the YMCA and reads with our students.If enthusiasm had a name, its Mrs. Yonan!
Nominated by David Shun
All 2020 Top Employee Nomination Essays
AidaArcega
Macy Elementary
Wonderful in every single way, always very happy,positive,helpful, just so very excellent in everything she does. Always makes people feel welcomed never has a bad attitude. I personally don’t like dealing with anyone else but her. If she isn’t available I will call back and or go in at a different time. This kind of positivity needs be spread through out the school. Love having her glad the old office manager was replaced with Mrs.Arcega.
Nominated by Tori Gonzalez
Cornelius Ashton
Laguna Beach High School
Officer Ashton has been an integral part of our greater school community.He goes out of his way in the work he does with students, parents, and staff.Officer Ashton is a pillar of strength, care and support in our community.From classroom presentations to home visits and wellness checks, Corn puts our young people at the forefront of everything he does.It is a blessing that our school community benefits from the service and support he provides.The most remarkable thing in his work is the passion and privilege he brings to the work he does.His positive attitude and charisma helps all of those lucky enough to work with and by him be better.Happy he is part of our School/District?Community team.
Nominated by Jason Allemann
Leticia Chacon
Revere Elementary School
Ms. Chacon is one of the most hard working principals I have ever worked with. She goes up and beyond for her school and for her students. She pushes them to be better people. Ms. Chacon is super supportive, and she is not afraid to do the difficult things to make sure the students are getting the education they deserve and need. I think she is an amazing principal and deserves to be honored for that.
Nominated by Candyce Perry
Chantey Darling
Red Hill Lutheran School
Chanty Darling is a mother of 4 daughters at our school. She is the woman that makes everything happen. From coordinating our school’s fundraising auction, which is an enormous undertaking, to planning our collaboration with the Pacific Symphony Class Act program, she does it all. She works forthe office and does many behind the scenes administrative tasks. And does it all with joy and kindness. An amazing mother and employee!
Nominated by KatieGillin
Leo Diego
Portola High School
From the beginning, Leo has always impressed me (and the rest of the PHS team) with his positive attitude, passion, initiative, rapport with people, foresight, organization, determination, perseverance, dedication, and strong leadership qualities.Leo is a key member of the PHS team.Opening PHS has been a tremendous feat and Leo has approached every single day with a positive attitude and a “can do” spirit.Leo has an office, but he will never be found there.He responds to needs in record time, but more than that he takes initiative and is able to solve problems before others even know they exist.If Leo doesn’t know something (which is rare) he will take it upon himself to find the answer by either researching it, finding the person who knows, or just plain figuring it out.He never passes the problem off to anyone else, sometimes dealing with issues that don’t even necessarily fall under his purview.Leo leads his team with respect and a servant attitude.He has incredibly high expectations of himself and his team, but doesn’t expect people to do what he wouldn’t do and as such leads by example.If you ask any staff member at PHS, they will tell you that Leo is the heart of PHS and that he bleeds purple.If you ask Leo he will just tell you that he loves PHS and will do whatever it takes to make his school incredible.
Nominated by John Pehrson
Mary Doherty
Rosary Academy
Mary Doherty is a Rosary graduate who has returned to her alma mater after an academic career at UCLA and a professional path in event planning.Since taking her position three years ago, Mary has overseen a rise in attendance every year.She oversees a group of student ambassadors who undertake visits to feeder schools, provide tours of campus, and facilitate shadow days for prospective students.Mary’s professional, calm, inspiring demeanor is most people’s first point of contact with our school, and it is her guiding hand that helps ease the transition from middle school to high school.From applications and recommendations through placement exams, and all the way to our welcome events during the first week of school, Mary guides our students and their families in these major educational milestones. Without this warm and collegial presence at our school, generations of Royals would be missing out on the amazing experiences at Rosary.
Nominated by Shawna Pautsch
James Drake
Fletcher Elementary
James Drake, “Mr. Chris”, is not the typical Instructional Assistant (IA). He is a “twenty-something” college student, working his way through school to become a teacher, and has only been at Fletcher School for 5 years. However, to see him working with students he appears to have the patience, wisdom and experience of a veteran teacher. Hard working and reliable, he also works as a breakfast and lunch supervisor, and has works a second shift doing “extra earnings” at another school. Mr. Chris has been called “The Child Whisperer” because of his intuitive ability to relate to our students, and calmly handle some of the most difficult behaviors. Students who do not respond to efforts from other staff will immediately react positively to Mr. Chris. He was recently summoned by a district Special Ed Coordinator to “share his magic” and help cross-train another IA at a nearby school with a difficult student. Mr. Chris works with this student in the afternoon and has little or no issues, but the staff has not been successful with this student in the morning when Mr. Chris is not there. It is rare to see this type of work ethic, instinct and expertise in a young employee just beginning his career. There is no doubt this young man was meant to work with students, and has a successful teaching career ahead of him. He is most deserving of this honor.
Nominated by Sara Pelly
Jorge Fierro
Van Buren
Jorge, is exceptional human being.He is always friendly and kind. He always has a positive attitude and is willing to do anything for the students. He is always interacting with the kids.I think he knows a majority of 700 kids names.At recess you will find him playing sports with the kids. On Friday’s after school on his own time he plays soccer with kids at the park behind our school. Jorge is a wonderful man and definitely deserves to win!!!!
Nominated by Julez Brown
Ally Garcia
North Orange Continuing Education
Ms.Ally is a sweetcounselor. She helped me and other students that completed the high school diploma or taking English classes enroll and complete a career certificate. She is the sweetest in telling us what we need to know to succeed. She is helpful and kind. I was able to get my Medical Assistant certificate and am now working at a pediatric clinic. thank you for her kindness and guidance.
Nominated by Leslie Rojas
Lydia Gonzalez
Betsy Ross
Lydia is the best of the best.She kind, caring and has a passion for helping others. The office at Betsy Ross school runs very successfully under her direction. Whether it’s answering phone calls, assisting parents at the counter, helping students is the health office or keeping the teachers organized, Lydia does it with a willing heart and a big smile. Lydia takes initiative and leads by example. Parents, students and staff come to her for support and guidance. When things get a bit stressful she remains unphased. She approaches every hurdle with a calm demeanor and an assuring voice. Often, she puts out “fires” before they even start. She goes well beyond her duties as a SOC and always takes initiative. If she does not know how to solve a problem, she quickly finds out how and loops in the appropriate team members. She is highly collaborative and she encourages our office staff to be the best they can be. Lydia is the hub of knowledge at Ross. She is our very own help desk. Parents, students, and staff come to her for support and guidance.She leads by example and is well-respected among all staff members at Ross. If we could clone Lydia we would be even more #Rossome than we already are. Recognition, at this level, is long overdue for Lydia. She represents the high standards and performance of AESD.
Nominated by Trisha Graper
Cindy Guerrero
San Joaquin Elementary School
Mrs. Guerrero is a bright spot for all our visitors at San Joaquin Elementary.With a warm smile and a caring heart, she provides our parents, volunteers, and guests with excellent service helping them to feel special each and every day.She is our District Clerk, but to us she is so much more.Not only does she keep track of attendance, she is the school nurse when duty calls, answers phone calls and emails, and she often will leave her desk and travel from classroom to classroom with whatever students and teachers need.When students forget their lunch she walks it straight to their teacher, talk about instant delivery!At times, our teachers need assistance in the classroom with various things and she is always assisting, whether its making copies or helping students, she does it all!
Nominated by David Shun
Hailey Heckman
Huntington Christian
Ms Hailey is one of the sweetest and kindest people we’ve ever met. She is very patient with the kids. She loves her job and the kids adore her. We are blessed to be in her class. When my son hears that she will be a teachers assistant for 2nd grade he was praying every day that he would be in her class.
Nominated by Sherine Somo
Michelle Huband
Olive Elementary
Michelle works hard each and everyday to make sure the her students’ needs are met. She also helps out her staff/friends in so many ways. She is definitely there to help when needed in any way. Her Special Education Program at school has improved in so many ways. Many of her students’ scores increased last year as well as their social well-being. She uses a program daily called “Time to SELebrate”, in which her students work on their social-emotional needs. This has helped them immensely during social times (recess, lunch, STEM lab, etc). Each child in her SPED program and more importantly, out of her program knows they can go to her for help.
Nominated by Betsy Leichtfuss
Debbie Johnson
St. Angela Merici Parish School
Mrs. Johnson has been at the school for 16 years, and she wears many hats.Her duties include greeting people in the front office with a smile, answering phones, maintaining student records, covering the health room, copier maintenance and so much more. She likes to call it being the “Mom” of the school.Through life’s bumps and bruises, Debbie is always there with an ice pack or band-aid to help a child in need of some love and care. In addition to caring for our students, she helps keep our school running like a well-oiled machine.Whether it’s a finicky copier or a faulty laminator, Debbie is there to come to the rescue. She’s an asset to our community, and we are so very lucky to have her.
Nominated by Vanessa Halliday
Sarah Kolt
Dwyer Middle School
Sarah Kolt is an instructional aide in one of our special education classes at Dwyer. This particular class is our most restrictive one, in that it is our only self-contained special education class on campus and serves the students with the most severe needs. Sarah Kolt’s work ethic, compassion toward all and love for education should and has inspired all of us to continue to push ourselves with higher expectations. As someone who has worked with numerous administrators, teachers and classroom support staff over my career, it is extremely gratifying to work alongside someone with Sarah’s caliber. Sarah tirelessly devotes her passion and expertise to maintaining a positive and nurturing environment within each classroom. The structure of the classroom, especially classrooms that require the most academic and behavioral support, could not function to the highest capacity without her guidance. Sarah has established a great rapport with local businesses that have donated items, such as clothing and skateboards. The donated items have been used with rewarding students through our positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS) program who demonstrate the four components of GRIT (gratitude, responsibility, integrity and tenacity) on campus and in our community. In addition, she constantly develops new ideas for working with her small groups, including working outside in nature.Sarah has been a devoted employee of the Huntington Beach City School District for 15 years. Sarah is currently pursuing a teaching credential, and there is no doubt in my mind that we will try to keep her as an educator within our district for another 15 years!
Nominated by Colin Priebe
Sarah Kolt is an instructional aide in one of our special education classes at Dwyer. This particular class is our most restrictive one, in that it is our only self-contained special education class on campus and serves the students with the most severe needs. Sarah Kolt’s work ethic, compassion toward all and love for education should and has inspired all of us to continue to push ourselves with higher expectations. As someone who has worked with numerous administrators, teachers and classroom support staff over my career, it is extremely gratifying to work alongside someone with Sarah’s caliber. Sarah tirelessly devotes her passion and expertise to maintaining a positive and nurturing environment within each classroom. The structure of the classroom, especially classrooms that require the most academic and behavioral support, could not function to the highest capacity without her guidance. Sarah has established a great rapport with local businesses that have donated items, such as clothing and skateboards. The donated items have been used with rewarding students through our positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS) program who demonstrate the four components of GRIT (gratitude, responsibility, integrity and tenacity) on campus and in our community. In addition, she constantly develops new ideas for working with her small groups, including working outside in nature.Sarah has been a devoted employee of the Huntington Beach City School District for 15 years. Sarah is currently pursuing a teaching credential, and there is no doubt in my mind that we will try to keep her as an educator within our district for another 15 years!
Nominated by Christa Glembocki
Pam Krause
TUSD District Office
Pam is one of the most patient, kind, and efficient people in Tustin Unified.She has worked at various school sites, in personnel, and currently in Ed. Services at the District Office.Pam manages the entire Ed. Services department in a very calm manner and always makes sure everyone is welcomed, helped with whatever is needed, and ALWAYS does it with a smile.When a stressful situation arises, we all feel in the best of hands and know it’s Pam to the rescue!Pam also has a keen sense of humor which is essential in many aspects of her duties.Her ability to assist parents, when a call comes in, is above and beyond calmness in letting parents know they MATTER!Pam’s position is one of utmost importance and confidentiality.She is always professional and is a master at multi-tasking.Pam will be retiring in June 2020 after approximately 20 years in TUSD.Our department will miss her greatly as she travels along the much deserved retirement journey.No matter where Pam has worked in TUSD, her reputation has proceeded her in the grandest of ways!Pam is simply THE best!
Nominated by Jan Moe
Laurie Lawver
Orchard Hills School
Mrs. Lawver is the heart of our school, knowing the names of all 1,429 students.She spends the summer reading books so that when any of our K-8 students come in for book recommendations, she quickly guides them. With that said, she circulates over 600 books daily.She has helped make life long readers because of her passion for books and bringing characters to life. When a teacher needs a book for a lesson, she quickly orders it on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or any of her sites. If she is unsuccessful in finding the book she has been known to purchase it on eBay, or even contact the author on social media to help fulfill the teacher’s request.She is our tech guru, distributing iPads and apps to students in grades 1-8. For the past two Thanksgivings, she has personally made every kindergartner a special handprint napkin that they give as a gift. She does all of this during her workday, hardly taking a break for herself. But, what makes her extra-special is the hours she puts in AFTER her workday. She volunteers at the countless events held at our school, including concerts in the evenings, movie nights, Scavenger hunts, etc… She holds auditions, practices, and runs the school talent show as well as the fifth-grade student cheerleaders for the Staff vs. Students basketball game.This summer a teacher was told last minute she was moving classrooms.Mrs. Lawver came in and helped move her into her new room, staying until 9 PM.Mrs. Lawver is the first one to jump in and help and the last person to leave.This amazing employee is an asset to not only our school but our Orange County community. It is truly my honor to nominate someone who impacts not only students but the staff around her.
Nominated by Christine Platt
Ricardo Leon
B Benson Elementary
Mr. Ricky how everyone calls him is a great employee and great person, he have a great sense of humor, he is always enthusiastic and he always available to help.He is a very important element to B. Benson elementary, the staff and most important the students loves him.
Nominated by Alma Leon
If you hear your name sung from across the campus, it is most likely Ricky Leon’s cheerful, “Good Morning, Hello”. Our custodian, Ricky has a way of brightening everyone’s day. Ricky is kind, encouraging, and always willing to lend a helping hand. The day I witnessed Ricky jump in to action at early morning drop off was the day I knew I wanted to nominate him for OC Parenting Employee of the year. Teachers were busy getting cars to move forward, helping students out of cars, and preparing for another day. But there was no one available to hear the crying student who refused to get out of his car because he didn’t want to go to school. That’s when Ricky jumped into action. He helped the student with his socks and shoes, all the while talking to him, “Oh, hey, buddy, you are such an amazing kid, so cool, we want you to be at school today. I like you! You don’t want to miss all the great stuff you’re going to do in class today, right? Okay, let’s go!” The student stopped crying and went to class. Before and since that day, I’ve seen Ricky perform many other works of magic on sad, angry, and confused students. Ricky goes above and beyond his daily duties as our school custodian. Besides the usual vacuuming, emptying of trash cans, and scrubbing down sticky lunch tables, Ricky offers suggestions for furniture placement, helps arrange book shelves, and always seems to find storage space for an infinite number of items. And somehow he never cringes at cleaning up the numerous unmentionable messes. He is our superhero!
Nominated by TootieNienow
Talia Lerma
Fairmont Anaheim Hills
Mrs. Talia Lerma is a dedicated and caring administrator who continually puts others above herself for the well-being of the students, teachers, and families on the campus.As a former pre-school teacher and a mom of two girls at the school, she brings a uniquely empathetic perspective to her role as Assistant Campus Director.She truly is one of the leaders on campus.She currently leads the Early Childhood Education taskforce for Fairmont Private Schools, and is one of the WASC Coordinators on campus.She has previously facilitated numerous ECE accreditations and professional development workshops for pre-school and early elementary staff.Teachers, students, and families know that Mrs. Talia Lerma has their best interests at heart and is a caring advocate for them and their needs.They trust her immensely and look to her for advice and guidance.She can often be seen working with the youngest students in the building.She is a mentor and friend to them by providing them with structure and boundaries, which every student needs.She is also a friend and mentor to the teachers and families of the community.Families have the utmost respect for Mrs. Lerma and for her judgment.They know that she is there to work with them and to help them and their children.Teachers will also often go to Mrs. Lerma for advice and guidance.They too trust her and her judgment.They know that she will do all that she can to help them.Mrs. Talia Lerma is also a selfless colleague.She has been there to help us, her fellow assistant campus directors, time and time again.Whether we need advice or an ear to vent to, Mrs. Lerma always makes herself available.Her discretion and professionalism contribute to the trust and respect that she has earned in her 20 years as part of Fairmont Private Schools.Thank you for considering Talia Lerma for this deserving honor as one of Orange County’s Top Educators.Sincerely,Ms. Jamie Bone and Mr. Ralph AloiaAssistant Campus Directors, Fairmont Anaheim Hills
Nominated by Jamie Bone
Denise Lizarraga
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
Calling Ms. “L” a librarian is an understatement. Ms. Lizarraga is so much more than that. In addition to checking in and checking out books for students at Jefferson School, she also helps to run our school-wide Accelerated Reader program. As classes arrive, she already has their reading levels ready to assist students to check out “just right” books for them to succeed. She is the biggest cheerleader for reading as she enthusiastically recognizes and celebrates student progress, no matter how small. Ms. L advocates for students by talking to staff and parents about the importance of regular reading, and engages her audiences with captivating read alouds. With Ms. L’s support, each year the school keeps beating records from the year before with students meeting reading goals! Ms. L also regularly hosts Storytime videos on the school YouTube channel called Tales from the Eagle’s Nest. Having read alouds archived on video allows for repeated viewings for years to come. Students love visiting the library, mainly because of the warm smile that greets them when they enter. That is Ms. L.
Nominated by Sandra Song
Martina Looney
Our Lady of Guadalupe School
Although Mrs. Looney’s official title is “Business Manager” she is far more than that.In addition to serving as a wonderful steward of our finances, she goes above and beyond to support our school community in any way that she can.Mrs. Looney is the type of person who places the needs of others before her own.She cares for our students, faculty, staff, and parents.When a student is missing a snack, she makes sure he/she is fed.When a teacher needs a break she is the first to come into the classroom and provide relief.When a parent is in need of support she offers a listening ear and an open heart.One of her most amazing gifts is that when she is talking with you she has a way of making you feel like you are the most important person in world. She is attentive, kindhearted, and considerate. Mrs. Looney is most definitely one of our super heroes.Our school is a better place because of her.
Nominated by Stella Costello
Ruben Lopez
Utt Middle School
Ruben is our school’s head custodian that not only keeps our aging school in tip top shape (cleanest one in the district) he goes above and beyond the typical duties of a custodian.Ruben spends his hours supporting teacher and students in unique ways. Last year he spent many hours converting a flower bed into a raised garden so that our AVID and Special Ed students could maintain a vegetable garden on campus – he hauled trash cans of soil from the far edges of campus to raise the level of the garden about 2 feet, and then gave students and teachers advice on planting and maintaining a vegetable garden.He has appeared in classroom science lessons and has made videos for the teacher explaining the science and process of plant growth and simple machines/mechanical structures – he demonstrated how he made a BBQ rotisserie out of an old paper shredder motor. He is constantly pulling out his wood working tools to modify a learning station or for teacher storage solution — sanding and modifying shelving systems, removing and adjusting cabinets and doors, and painting. Nothing stops this man! He also has an environmental mind whereas he uses the leaves around campus to create compost and fills holes and planters around campus. If he doesn’t have a paint brush, drill, screwdriver or shovel in his hand he is building relationships with students and staff. Ruben is and esteemed member of our staff, and valued by all including parents and students, and is deserving of recognition as a school hero!
Nominated by BobValdez
Annabelle Marin
San Joaquin Elementary School
If she would wear a hero’s cape, Ms. Anabelle Marin, our School Outreach Community Liaison at San Joaquin Elementary School, certainly could have one on everyday.But her humble nature has her shying away from the spotlight, even after being awarded Saddleback Valley Unified District’s (SVUSD) Classified Employee of the Year for her outstanding service to San Joaquin and SVUSD’s Service for English Learners department, you will never meet a more humble person. Ms. Anabelle has such a wonderful rapport with students and families that she is treated as a part of their family, and holds our communities respect as our families and staff seek her out to help solve difficult problems.She meets with students and families in the morning bus stop and escorts them to departing buses that leave our campus.She helps to facilitate PTA meetings, District English Language Advisory Committee (DELAC) at district office, and is in charge of hosting our English Language Advisory Committee Meetings (ELAC) with families at our local community center. Since our school and community sometimes needs assistance with translations, Ms. Anabelle is always at the ready to help students, parents, teachers, and staff with effective communication whether is written or spoken. Furthermore, she takes on the role of assisting all our 6th grade students with enrollment, registration, fund raising, and travel preparations for their outdoor science school, more affectionately known as “Camp” for which parents and students are very grateful.In addition, she helps students navigate conflict and self-regulation with restorative practices as well as visits with families at their home to offer resources and further assistance. During our National Walk To School Day, she met parents at their bus stop and walked with families all the way to school!This is the superhero level of dedication she brings each day as she works tirelessly to provide an unparalleled quality of service to our families, staff and community here and throughout the district.
Nominated by David Shun
Paul Marquardt
Red Hill Lutheran School
Mr Paul Marquardt is such a great leader at the school ever since he became the principal.His leadership is so evident in terms of hiring and retaining talented teachers, who have strong characters, education, skills and Christian values.He also recommended and supported a lot of changes in technology to make it easier for both parents and teachers to perform a lot of the administrative work. Most importantly, he stepped in to help needy families who went through difficult times and allowed students to continue education at the school or else they wouldn’t be able to do so somewhere else.He always gives credit to his staff and the teachers, but he is really the true hero behind the scene, and therefore, I need to vote for him so he can be recognized!
Nominated by Paul Marquardt
Tony Martino
Heritage Oak Private School
Mr. Tony Martino is that person who makes everyone around him feel important and we are so lucky to have him at Heritage Oak. From his cheerful greetings to the special attention he gives to our campus, Heritage Oak is proud to nominate Mr. Tony Martino as a top school employee. Pride in our facility and his work is what drives Mr. Martino and makes him excellent at his job. This pride was instilled in him as a child. After immigrating from Italy to New York, his parents were hired to take care of an estate—his father handled the outside and his mother handled the inside. While growing up helping on the estate, he honed many of the maintenance skills he uses on our campus each day, however pride in his work took him on another path prior to joining Heritage Oak.Mr. Martino started his own telecommunications and credit business at 21 years old. He opened his first office in New York and his second office in California before opening 12 more offices in the US and then expanding his business to Europe. At one point, he managed over 1,200 sales team members and 60 managers worldwide. Unfortunately, the recession hit in 2008 and in the next few years, Mr. Martino had to close his business, sell his properties, and relocate from his home in Rome back to California. With no interest in entering the business world again, Mr. Martino took on his role at Heritage Oak in 2017. Not only does Mr. Martino keep our campus safe and clean for students, he builds wonderful relationships with them, their parents and fellow staff members. When he is painting or working on a project, he usually has a crowd of children around him asking questions and he always takes time to answer and explain what he is doing. He also is a wonderful team member to his co-workers, always kind and supportive. Because of his business experience, he helps the school marketing team with ideas to enhance the campus facility. He also helps other staff members whenever he is needed. When asked about his motivation to go above and beyond the expected duties of a facilities manager, his response was that he treats everything on campus as if it were his own. Explains Mr. Martino, “If everyone would do that, the world would be a better, safer, cleaner place.”
Nominated by Shawna Rhebergen
KathyNavarro
Ponderosa Elementary
It is an honor to write this recommendation on behalf of Kathy Navarro. I have had the privilege of working beside her in the classroom and as her administrator for the past four years. Kathy exemplifies what it means to go above and beyond to ensure all students are successful and that the classroom teachers receive the support they need. She works with students who are struggling both academically and emotionally in grades TK – 6th grade, in general education and special education. Her calm demeanor and friendly personality wins the hearts of the students and staff alike. Somehow Kathy can always take a frown and always turn it upside. She glows in the success of the children she serves and they, in turn, build confidence in themselves. Kathy is also willing to always give assistance whenever and however it is needed. During our recent Kindness Week, you would find Kathy greeting students with signs, giving high fives and hugs to all students as they crossed the street to school everyday. The children would seek her out for this affirmation as they know she is always willing to give it to them. She will also jump in and assist with anything if she knows that her actions are benefiting others.When Kathy is working with her small groups she is always thinking of the varying needs of the students and adjusts what she does in order to meet those needs. She is continually collaborating and connecting with the students’ teachers to ensure they are making progress across environments. The teachers are so grateful for the help and support that she gives to their most neediest students. Kathy is always focused on her students and using every minute strategically to ensure all students are learning to their potential. As her students grow in their successes and become more confident, she always says that is her reward.Kathy is always focusing on the needs of others and always does whatever she can to make the lives of those around her run as smoothly as possible. She celebrates the successes of everyone in the most unselfish way. Kathy is an irreplaceable asset to the Ponderosa Community, which she has been a part of for nearly 30 years. Our students, teachers and families are beyond fortunate to have the commitment of someone like her.
Nominated by Yadira Moreno
Alphonse Nguyen
International School of Orange County
If the popular saying that one’s eyes are the window to their soul is true, then Alphonse’s kind soul can certainly be seen through his gentle eyes. His international background and fluency in three languages (English, French, and Vietnamese) inevitably brought him to work at the International School of Orange County where he has been our Operations Manager and IT Specialist since 2008. Born in Vietnam, Alphonse moved to the United States in 2006 after spending several years in New Caledonia and France.If you are a parent at the International School of Orange County, you will surely know Alphonse! From his very first day working on campus, Alphonse fit right in with our tight-knit international community. He makes a point to greet every parent and student passing through our school’s gates every morning and every afternoon, rain or shine, and always shares a smile and a few words with each of them.Alphonse is exceptionally dedicated to a job well done, no matter the task, that is only seen in truly passionate individuals. He consistently strives to make our school a more beautiful and welcoming place for our families, tending personally to our plants and garden, maintaining our facilities with utmost devotion, and ensuring the safety of our students and staff. His vast array of skills has helped our campus improve in ways that would not have been possible otherwise, and he works relentlessly with our Director to beautify our campus every summer. Alphonse is equally at ease when interacting with our students who absolutely adore him! He has led several projects school-wide over the years, including a chess tournament for our 1st through 8th grade students. In addition to his functions of Operations Manager and IT Specialist, Alphonse assists our Campus Assistants with supervision on a daily basis. The level of care he puts into ensuring our students’ safety and well-being often means going above and beyond, making sure this 3rd grader eats his vegetables at lunchtime or that Kindergarten student drinks plenty of water! Whenever new students start at school, Alphonse always encourages other students to make them feel welcome. When Alphonse is not busy supervising, he can sometimes be seen playing soccer or engaging in a scooter race with our students! It would be a great honor for him to be recognized as a top OC school employee for his long-time commitment to our community.
Nominated by Sarah Blek
Gina O’Dowd
Villa Park Elementary
At my school, the library is anything but boring. Every Thursday morning, my class goes to the library. Mrs. O’ dowd lets us in once we are quiet, then we check-in or renew our books and sit on the big carpet in the front half of the library. Part of the reason Mrs. O’ dowd makes such a great librarian is that she puts aside time to read from a book to us. Right now, we’re working on a chapter book called The Terrible Two. We read a chapter every time we go to the library, and Mrs. O’ dowd is what makes this time so special.Mrs. O’ dowd has also created an activity called Makers Club. Makers Club takes place every Tuesday and Friday during lunch. When we walk into the library, there is a paper to sign in on. This helps Mrs. O’ dowd know who entered Makers Club that that day and also helps her make sure the library doesn’t get too crowded, for once the sheets are filled no one else can enter the library. In makers club, there is a table for 3-d pens, glue guns, sewing machines, computer-programming 3-d designs, and pearler beads. In the back, there are bokes full of junk people have donated. We take this “junk” and turn it into robots, dolls, and more! One time, I made a present for my little sister out of the stuff people haven’t wanted and thrown away. As you can see, Mrs. O’ dowd is an amazing librarian and she definitely deserves to be nominated. She has made libraries even more of a place of magic and wonders as never before.
Nominated by Isabella Caudill
Crisie Pitzer
Friends Christian Elementary School
If moms fall into the category of superheroes, then a “mom” to over 300 students is definitely a superhero!Mrs. Pitzer falls into that category and fulfills that “mom” role for the students at Friends Christian (FC) Elementary School as the Extended Care/Lunch Supervisor.As a 16 year veteran at FC Elementary School, Mrs. Pitzer is responsible for scheduling staff and overseeing the care of students before and after school hours.She makes sure that students are provided with a safe and engaging environment and even uses her creativity to provide extra activities such as gingerbread house crafts at Christmas.Her thoughtful and kind spirit is also present as she supervises playground activities throughout the day.Going above and beyond is a part of her nature.The students actually look forward to hot days because they know that Mrs. Pitzer will have spray bottles full of water ready for spray bottle tag.Mrs. Pitzer also creates playground activities for the students to participate in that are an extension of what they are learning in the classroom.For example, during Missions Week when students are learning to be compassionate and empathetic to the plight of others less fortunate than themselves, Mrs. Pitzer will have an activity for the students to take part in during recess.Most recently, students learned about others in different countries that don’t have the luxury of running water in their home, thus requiring them to walk miles each day to get enough drinking water for that one day.Mrs. Pitzer devised an activity in which the student body, working together, simulated what it would like to walk those miles while carrying a jug of water.In addition, if there’s a school event such as Bike to School Day, Mrs. Pitzer creates all of the signs to promote the event.Birthdays, you can bet she has a banner ready to celebrate your special day.Not only does Mrs. Pitzer help to nurture the students’ minds and souls but also their bodies. She plans monthly lunch menus, making sure every student has the opportunity to have a nutritious lunch to sustain them throughout the rest of the day.As is the case with parents, they don’t consider themselves superheroes.They just do what they do because of the love they have for their child.Mrs. Pitzer shares that humble spirit, but at FC Elementary School, she is our hero!
Nominated by Stacey Shun
Fernando Quintino
San Joaquin Elementary School
Mr. Quintino does it all!As our Plant Foreman (custodian) at San Joaquin Elementary, he arrives before sun rise every morning and makes sure our campus is safe and clean for all our students, staff, and families.His day starts with making sure tables are washed and dried and the breakfast/lunch area is free of litter so students have an immaculate eating area.The multipurpose room is vacuumed and set up properly each morning for teachers to perform PE (Physical Education) in comfort.He also makes time to clean the kitchen and sweeps the parking lot, drive way, and walkways. Mr. Quintino is also responsive to all our teachers and staff request and promptly addresses all concerns with respect and efficiency.However, he is most revered for his motto “Its for the Kids”!Everything Mr. Quintino does is performed with the kindness and compassion he wants to share with our students.Mr. Quintino is our Super Hero.
Nominated by David Shun
Kendra Reyerson
Friends Christian Elementary School
When you think about someone who impacts the lives of an entire student body, including prospective students, you can’t help but think of Mrs. Reyerson, Admissions Coordinator and Receptionist at Friends Christian (FC) Elementary School.Thirteen years ago, Mrs. Reyerson began her career at FC Elementary School as an Instructional Assistant with the school’s Success program.This position gave her an insight into the operations of the school and allowed her caring personality to shine as she positively influenced students on a daily basis.As the “face” of FC Elementary School, she applies empathy that comes with walking in other “people’s shoes.”She makes her presences known through her compassion and kindness.How can one forget a person who makes you feel like you are the most important person in the world each and every time you visit with your toughest questions and situations?In addition to outstanding service, she also extends her compassion through professionally answering phone calls and responding to each email personally, despite a jam-packed inbox, all while managing facilities and maintenance requests.But, her “hero” powers don’t stop there.She keeps students safe by handling emergency preparedness and planning responsibilities, hosts campus tours, conducts enrollment, and as if that wasn’t enough she is our school nurse who cares for each child as she does her own.Mrs. Reyerson also works behind the scenes to make sure that each class has a room parent(s).She provides the room parent(s) with support that allows them to plan class parties and bless the teachers throughout the year, showing the teachers how much they are appreciated.On a grander scale, Mrs. Reyerson oversees the coordination of a committee to plan the yearly teacher and staff appreciation week.With a righteous spirit, Mrs. Reyerson fulfills the school moto of walking boldly as a lion as she supports current students and lays the foundation for those to come.
Nominated by Stacey Shun
Evaristo Sanchez
La Habra High School
Evaristo Sanchez is the epitome of a Highlander.As a high school student at La Habra, Evaristo began his career as a student worker, helping the custodial team after school and learning the nuances of campus maintenance.After graduation, he became a full-time employee at La Habra, and currently serves as our Custodial Grounds Supervisor.In preparation for this nomination, we asked several staff members to share their opinions of Evaristo.The words “hard-working, helpful, kind, sweet, and valuable” were frequently repeated.Evaristo has a strong sense of family, and sees our school community as an extension of this, investing his heart into our Highlander Clan.On a campus of almost 2200 students, there are always many things needing to be done.Evaristo is able to effectively prioritize, and we have yet to find a job too challenging for him to easily handle.If we asked him to find a way to relocate an entire classroom to the roof within the next thirty minutes, there is no doubt Evaristo would reply “No problem.Let me do that right now”.With all of his many assignments and tasks each day, he never sacrifices his positive attitude and focus on providing quality customer service.In a typical day, Evaristo greets every staff member he encounters, and will go out of his way to check in on teachers or other staff he has not seen in a few days.Evaristo understands, and internalizes, the importance of relationships, and this carries over to student interactions.Our student body loves Evaristo, and frequently seek him out for conversation or to thank him for his impact on our school.While much of work is “behind the scenes”, his personality and attention have made him a beloved presence.
Nominated by Keri Kimes
Shawnna Shararr
San Joaquin Elementary School
“Everyday is a chance to do something better than the day before,” is Mrs. Sharrar’s motto and she truly lives up to it each and everyday.Mrs. Sharrar has been instrumental with assisting the front office and the school run effectively and efficiently since day one, when she stepped in as our interim office manager.Drawing from her experience as an Attendance Clerk, she has been assisting with streamlining systems for attendance procedures and enrollment processes, and she still finds time to be a school nurse when duty calls.She has also performed marvelously with navigating the intricacies of budgeting and scheduling all our events including field trips, school tours, assemblies, PTA events and more, all while assisting each and every parent, volunteer, staff member and students with the up most care and respect. Having Mrs. Sharrar’s assistance has been an incredible asset to our school.
Nominated by David Shun
Debbie Simon
San Joaquin Elementary School
If you ask anyone, they will share with you that Mrs. Simon is the first person that comes to mind when it comes to “Going Above and Beyond”.As an Instructional Assistant, she does a phenomenal job with providing support for all students.She works hard everyday and does an incredible job with making sure students are prepared for success.She cares not only about if students learn, she proactively creates positive conditions for learning and cultivates a culture of positivity. She, without a doubt, “Goes Above and Beyond”.
Nominated by David Shun
Katerina Sorrell
San Joaquin Elementary School
Mrs. Kat is at the forefront of meeting students’ needs and conducts proactive practices that benefit the well-being of all our students. Starting with her office, her goal is to lower the anxiety levels of all who enter and with its warm colors and inviting decor, thus enabling a greater degree of relationship building and communication.She focuses on treating the whole child and works diligently to instill in students the skills they can use to be self-sufficient and self-reliant with social pragmatics, self-management, and academics. She has also been very active in increasing services and programs here at San Joaquin Elementary.She booked two assemblies for our school that focuses on Conflict Management and Healthy Lifestyles and our students really enjoyed and benefited from their messages of treating each other with empathy and respect as well yourself. Mrs. Kat also designed and launched a student wellness centers which students can enjoy during recess and lunch when they need an alternative space to decompress.Teachers are also utilizing it to as an additional setting for SEL (Social Emotional Learning) lessons as the flexible space and furniture allow for the freedom of movement and choice. With a focus on college as a goal for our students through AVID, Mrs. Kat has designed and launched a College awareness program that focuses on introducing students to the college concept: what is college, what is it like to live on a college campus, what is college like in a different state or even a different country.Many of our students might be the first in their families to attend college and she recognizes that we need to support them in learning the ins and outs about attending a college and college life. Furthermore, she has been instrumental in having the Royal Court from Medieval Times host our Royal Kindness assembly.Mrs. Kat and other staff members help set the stage by building up the Challenge along with the anticipation of being knighted with the students.Thus, when the Queen and Knight honored our school and knighted our student award winners, our school was thrilled.It was a moment in time our students will never forget. With her dedication to our students and our school community, it’s no wonder she was an Orange County Department of Education 2019 Counselor Recognition Award recipient.We are very fortunate to have such a devoted counselor as Kateria Sorrell.
Nominated by David Shun
Fernando Sotelo
San Juan Hills High School
Fernando Sotelo is an Academic Advisor managing a caseload of 450+ high school students to provide college and career counseling. Mr. Sotelo, being bilingual, also supports a diverse group of students (low-income, 1st generation college-bound students, and English Learners).He works with community organizations, the Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE), and the Capistrano Unified School District Office to provide workshops for parents of English learners.He coordinated with PIQE to host 3 separate cohorts, which provided over 200 Spanish-speaking parents an opportunity to gain greater access to resources that support their children throughout high school.Mr. Sotelo has collaborated with the outreach department at Saddleback College to provide resources and workshops to students in the areas of counseling and financial aid.He is a leader in his field with supporting families regarding Dream Act applications and helped to host outside speakers on the Dream Act/Dreamers for families across the district. Additionally, he provided training to our site’s teachers and staff on supporting Dreamers. Two years ago, our Student of the Year, was a Dreamer and her successes at our school and in college directly correlate to the important work Mr. Sotelo does at SJHHS.Last year, Mr. Sotelo took the lead to organize the first College and Career application event at SJHHS.The event involved bringing outside college reps, community college reps, OCDE reps, district staff and parent volunteers together to help support every senior to work on at least one application for a 2 year college, 4 year university, scholarships, financial aid, trade/tech/art school.The feedback from our students and families was extremely positive and we have been asked to be a demonstration site this school year for OCDE and SDCOE.Mr. Sotelo is an incredible asset to SJHHS. His work ethic and commitment to the students is exceptional. His important work has made San Juan Hills High School a more inclusive campus and he has directly contributed to our college-going culture for ALL students.
Nominated by Jennifer Smalley
Toni Steen
Friends Christian Elementary School
To say that Mrs. Steen is just a librarian is an understatement because she uses her certificated teacher “superhero powers” to teach literary essentials wrapped in library science at Friends Christian Elementary School.She combines her enthusiasm for literature and passion for student learning by providing students with opportunities to explore different authors, illustrators, styles of writing, and genres.Mrs. Steen is dedicated to assisting all students in finding books they will be passionate about reading.She encourages reading throughout the entire year by promoting a summer “Where will you read?” program.Students tap into creativity when submitting pictures of themselves reading in a variety of places during the summer, such as on a surf board in the ocean, on a camel in front of a pyramid in Egypt, and in a pumpkin patch. Mrs. Steen brings an element of unparalleled creativity when introducing students to literature.Each year she hosts a book tasting where students sample new books they can check out the following year.While dressed as a chef, she transforms her library into a restaurant complete with table cloths, menus, and a variety of dining courses (aka books.)Students “taste” a variety of books and then record their critique like a food critic.Mrs. Steen is also a visionary who recognizes that students need a strong STEM background.She has a MakerSpace in the library where students can interact with STEM activities: Origami, wooden planks, art mosaics formed from each individual student’s art tile, iPads using Bloxcell, and the word of the week center where students use a dictionary to lookup the designated word, which enhances their use of reference materials beyond the internet.Mrs. Steen’s passion and creativity are visible in programs she’s created outside of instructional time.She’s created a Ukulele Club; she teaches students how to play songs that are then performed for the school.She established a book club for third and fourth grade students.Upon reading the designated book, the students and Mrs. Steen gather for a discussion.This year Mrs. Steen created the 1st Annual Storybook Pumpkin Patch: students decorated a pumpkin in the likeness of a book character.Mrs. Steen also recognizes the importance of giving back.She organized a book drive, collecting books that were donated to CHOC.Mrs. Steen may not be a hero in a novel, but hopefully you’ll agree she’s deserving of the School Heroes Award.
Nominated by Stacey Shun
KarrieStratton
Huntington Christian
Mrs. Stratton is one of the most amazing people in Huntington Christian. She is always willing to help and is definitely a blessing to all of us. She loves the kids and knows every single one of them by name. Seeing her smiling and greeting the students in the morning or during pick up not only makes them feel important but they also feel the warmth of a family and makes their day. The small little things that this woman does means the world to us parents and I really feel that she deserves to be acknowledged for all she does and for her hard work.
Nominated by Sherine Somo
JillThomas
Fairmont Preparatory Academy
Jill Thomas has been one of the driving forces that help to meet the social and emotional needs for not only our students, but the teachers, staff, and families at our schools.Her care and concern for each individual she provides services for is so inspiring.Though at times situations can get rocky or stressful, she remains the calm and constant force that people have learned to trust and rely on.She spearheaded the committee that created our school’s social vision, The Fairmont Code.She also plans presentations, trainings, and information nights to teach students, parents, and teachers about the importance of a balanced life, and of growing not academically, but as a whole person.
Nominated by Joanna Yujuico
Javier Torres
Irvine High School
Developing a relationship with students is a strength for Mr. Torres.He is commonly identified as a trusted adult on our campus which is a high compliment given that he is one of our Campus Control Assistant.Student’s view him as someone they can go to if they need support.On the occasion that Mr. Torres is involved with students through some type of disciplinary action, his demeanor and developed relationship often lends itself to a learning opportunity for our students.Furthermore, Mr. Torres has assisted us as a chaperone at our ASB camp which has allowed him to further connect with our student leaders.In our need to identify a Freshman Class Advisor Mr. Torres stepped up and willfully agreed to take on the challenge.He has been able to model and lead our freshman leaders through various activities that get them involved in our school community.Mr. Torres is a strong student advocate who models and exemplifies our IHS values of Integrity, Honoring Self and Others, and Social Responsibility.We are fortunate to have a staff member of this caliber and high character as a member of our team.
Nominated by Monica Colunga
Tim Wickell
Benjamin Franklin Elementary
Mr. Tim Wickell is an absolute treasure at Franklin School. He has dedicated his entire career to serving the Benjamin Franklin School community at the highest level.Not only is he an outstanding custodian, but more importantly, he is a positive role model for our scholars on how to be a caring and responsible person. Students flock to him because Tim makes a connection with them through his humor, kindness and supportive nature. He has high expectations for himself and for them. Years after students promote from Franklin School, they come back to visit Tim. He listens to their hopes and dreams and he encourages them to be their best selves. He models commitment every day through his excellent work ethic, and he takes great pride in keeping the campus looking beautiful and well maintained. Tim sees Franklin as a second home for the students and staff, so he is constantly working to make the campus a safe and caring environment for all. Recently, Franklin School adopted a new mascot, the Franklin Falcon. We had a school community assembly to celebrate. Tim volunteered to dress in the Falcon costume and engage the crowd. The Falcon was a huge hit! He got the crowd cheering and enthusiastic about our new mascot. When students were returning to class, they were discussing who was in the Falcon costume. One student exclaimed, “I bet it is Mr. Tim. He’s our hero, so I know he would want to be the Franklin Falcon!” The child was right! Mr. Tim Wickell is our campus hero, and hispresence makes Benjamin Franklin School a better place.
Nominated by Bernadette Grzechowiak
Deborah Williams
San Joaquin Elementary School
Mrs. Williams is an outstanding member of our school community!She comes to us after 21 years in the Navy, and currently provides our students with excellent support in the role of District Psychologist.She has been instrumental in assisting our students and staff with the processes and procedures that go along with Special Education.Her approach is respectful and very professional and she helps families and students feel at ease, while being a great teammate for our staff.She collaborates with both school staff and families in developing plans that offer educational support and services necessary for students to be successful.She also provides individual and /or group counseling for children who are experiencing difficulties in a variety of areas. In addition to her dedication to our school and district, she is a respected member of her community as well.She has served as a WBS Retreat Co-Chair and a member of COR and serves on the Usher Board.She is also a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society, Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society and a member of the Orange County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. She is truly and advocate for all children and is dedicated to improving successful outcomes for every student.
Nominated by David Shun
Jose Zamarripa
Laguna Road Elementary
Jose is organized, efficient, multitasking, caring and considerate of parents’ needs.Once I asked him about a district policy and he answered and later followed up with me by phone and e-mail, providing information I was looking for but could not find by reading the district handbook.He is enthusiastic and despite of how busy he gets, he stays positive.
Nominated by Miho Brecht
Luis Zuniga
Fullerton School District
Luis has been an exemplary School Bus Driver for the Fullerton School District. He has completed his fifth year of service and absolutely loves what he does. Luis never hesitates to make you feel like someone important in this world. Our children love and look up to him. He has a heart for service and demonstrates that daily by his words and actions.
Nominated by Nancy McBenttes
Luis is a kind and joyful individual who takes pride in his job and who is always bringing genuine care to the children that he transports. I can always look forward to the fun experiences he has to share about work and you can tell that he really loves what he does. I have known Luis for about 6 years now and it has been a real blessing to have known and seen this guy grow. Before school, Luis is probably their first contact with the school every morning and the last before they get home, so I’m sure his energy and enthusiasm can be a light in the kids’ day!
Nominated by Kordell Tan
Being a bus driver is not known as a difficult job, but someone like Luis makes that stereotype be changed . He provides comfort and safety to his kids . He helps them when ever they need help on the bus and also around his community. Luis is one of those people you learn from because he always has the right words to say them and when to say them. In this very harsh and cruel world he is one of the workers and people who make you believe that their is still good people in this world, who would give their all just to see people happy . That’s why I believe he should be chosen, thank you .
Nominated by Gisselle Castillo
Luis Zuniga, like many other nominations is a very nice person who does their job well, but what makes Luis different from the rest of his coworkers is that he brings happiness into his joband that he infects others with this happiness. Luis never lets anything get him down and is always a smiling face to the kids when they it
Nominated by Manuel Morales
Very down to earth guy. Makes sure he gets his job done right and goes above and beyond to make it better. There is no task he can’t take. All the riders enjoy his presence because he makes them feel welcomed. Loves his job, sometimes talks a little to much about it. This is the guy that should be up there on a list of top employees.
Nominated by JacquelineJimenez
Luis is a very caring person. He tries and goes beyond in helping the people around him. He makes everyone feel included and motivates people in whatever they are doing. He always has very positive attitude and can always catch him being kind. Luis is also responsible with all his tasks and count on him.
Nominated by Janett Guevara
Luis is not just a bus driver however he is very kind and makes sure us as students feel safe. He is what it means to be a top employee by enjoying his job and not letting it just be a job but more.
Nominated by Suzette Morales
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