Top Teacher Finalists

Top Teacher 2023

Rebeca Martinez – Los Amigos High School

Top 10 Teachers of Orange County 2023

Kim Bass
Robert C. Fisler School

I have been blessed to work with an amazing community of students, parents, teachers, and administrators. I have never been more grateful for the joy teaching has given me, and I’m honored and proud to be nominated.

Lori Boyer-Pro
Barbara Benson Elementary School

It is such an honor to be nominated for the Top Teachers of OC award. My goal is to have students realize that my passion for teaching impacts them on a daily basis.

Caressa McClendon
Oakridge Private School

This nomination is really for all the students, staff, and families that have supported me in my career, so I just want to give them a huge thanks for everything they have done.

Marissa Carlton
S.A. Moffett Elementary School

This nomination means the world to me because it reinforces that I’m creating a positive, long-lasting impact in my students’ lives.

Joanna Lane
Tustin High School

It is such an honor to be nominated to represent Tustin High School and Tustin Unified School District as a Top Teacher Finalist. As a Tustin Tiller alumn, I am proud to serve my community and give back to the wonderful students of Tustin High in any way possible!

Melissa Linden
Loma Ridge Elementary School

I want to give my genuine gratitude to everyone who believed in me enough to be nominated for this award! Being recognized as a finalist for Top Teachers in Orange County has been an extremely humbling and rewarding experience in and of itself.

Heather Swienton
St. Bonaventure School

It is an incredible honor to be nominated alongside so many other wonderful educators. I have wanted to be a teacher since I was in the second grade, so to be recognized for a vocation that I love so much is very rewarding.

Ryan Tan
Isaac Sowers Middle School

Thank you for this nomination/award! I feel truly honored to be recognized in this way and appreciate the staff, parents, and community that I work with, especially for their support in everything that we do for the students.

Kelley Visca
Pathway School

This nomination is incredibly special because it honors the memory of my late mom who received the Orange County Teacher of the Year 30 years ago, and I am humbled and proud to carry on the tradition of excellence in the classroom.

Read full quotes and essay submissions in our digital edition