SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATION BELOW UNTIL JAN 4
The winners and the finalists will be featured in our School Heroes Issue coming March 2026.
Judging Criteria
Top Teachers Criteria 2026
Do you have a teacher at your school who does more than educate students? Who gets students excited about learning, teaches life lessons, is valued by parents, peers, administration and students, and whose classes consistently rank among the top in test scores? Nominate him or her to be honored by Parenting OC in our upcoming March 2026 Top Teachers issue.
Teacher Award Categories
- Preschool Teacher
- Grade School Teacher
- Middle School Teacher
- High School Teacher
Nomination Rules
- Only one nomination per category, for each school
- Teacher must be actively teaching in Orange County
- Nomination must be approved by principal or school head.
Judging Criteria for Teachers
- Creativity in teaching method
- Teaches other teachers
- Passion/personally involved
- Community service/nonprofit work
- Multiple school duties
- Heads up and starts up other school programs
- Years of service
- Writes grants or raises funds for school
- Student and/or parent favorite
Top Employees Criteria 2026
We are looking for those employees who go above and beyond, not in the classroom, but behind the scenes—in the offices, the kitchens, the libraries, the buses, on the school grounds. They are classified workers, whose ranks include instructional assistants, custodians, office clerks, technicians, bus drivers and other non-certificated staff members.
Nomination Rules
- Only one nomination for each school
- Employee must be actively working in Orange County
- Nomination must be approved by principal or school head
Judging Criteria for Employees
- Multiple school duties
- Contributes beyond job description
- Passion/Personally involved
- Years of service
- Student and/or parent favorite
Leadership Award Criteria 2026
The Leadership Award is a lifetime achievement honor that goes to an individual who has paved the way for others, created change, and led the way, and has devoted their career to education. We want to recognize a leader in Orange County Schools. This year nominate a ground-breaking educator, a principal, a school head, or a district or countywide official who has met the COVID challenge head on.
Nomination Rules
- One nomination per school, and one per district office
- Nominee must be actively working
- Must be approved by an administrator or district office
Judging Criteria for Leaders
- A long career of service
- A leader among their peers or a peerless leader
- Inspires others
- An innovator
Emma says
i am nominating Mrs. Houlihan
tyler says
im nominating mr johnson because in my opinion he is a really good teacher and he is really nice
Ms Alex says
Ms.Alex Cordova is an amazing teacher, she is so passionate about her job my son Javier love her
Mary Tascian-Williams says
An inspiring educator, leader, facilitator, community activist and student guidance advisor.
Ursula S Schoeneich says
Founder and Principal of German School campus, a WASC accredited for Supplemental Education Programs.