JoAnn Ashburn

St. Catherine’s Academy

With an illustrious career spanning over 50 years, Sister JoAnn Ashburn has devoted herself to shaping the minds of students and contributing significantly to the educational community. For the past 19 years, she has served as one of the eighth-grade homeroom teachers, showcasing her enduring commitment to the students and the school. Her dedication extends beyond the classroom, as she has adeptly taught a diverse array of subjects including literature, religion, art, calligraphy, and seventh- and eighth-grade math. A leader among her peers, she has earned the admiration and respect of the entire faculty. Her involvement in co-directing the Christmas program and regular attendance at student sporting events further exemplifies her commitment to the school community. Her impact is so profound that former students frequently return to visit, a testament to the lasting influence she has had on their lives. As an innovator in the field of education, she consistently pioneers effective teaching methods. She recognizes and accommodates different learning styles, ensuring that each student has the opportunity to thrive. 

“I work with an incredible staff and absolutely love the mission of St. Catherine’s Academy. Our school works with boys and challenges them to be their best and grow in leadership and confidence.”

Ammy Beltran

Santa Ana Valley High School

Ammy Beltran is an exemplary educator whose commitment to transforming music education and the arts within Santa Ana Unified School District resonates deeply across various facets of her work. Her innovative teaching methodologies are exemplified by her student-centered approach, where each learning experience is meticulously tailored to cater to the diverse abilities of her students. She fosters an engaging classroom environment where students actively participate at their own pace and interest levels, showcasing a model of inclusive and vibrant learning. Beyond the classroom, Beltran serves as a guiding force for her fellow educators, actively mentoring and collaborating to share her expertise in student-centered teaching methodologies. Her involvement in district-wide initiatives and interdisciplinary projects underscores her dedication to enhancing educational practices beyond her own classroom. She’s willing to try new things in front of and with students. She recently worked with artists from Chicago and some of her students to engage in an interdisciplinary arts experience showcased at Grand Central Art Center in Downtown Santa Ana. 

“This nomination is deeply validating. Music education has profoundly shaped my identity and influenced both my personal and professional life.” 

Eman Ghanem

Orange Crescent School

Eman Ghanem has been a teacher at Orange Crescent School for 10 years and has been exceptional from year one. She goes above and beyond to keep her students engaged and challenged. She has created many units of project-based learning and hands-on activities to make students excited and eager to learn. She has created a Wax Museum Explorers Project, art gallery, paper making for ancient Egypt, 3D respiratory system and more. For most of her projects, she opens her classroom to other grades and parents to give her students a chance to share their knowledge and practice their presentation and speaking skills. She even added a new theme this year by transforming her entire classroom into a Mario Bros. obstacle course for the week to help teach students about parts of speech, grammar, vocabulary and writing. Students were having so much fun, they didn’t even know they were learning. Ghanem utilizes flexible seating in her classroom to give students choice, a sense of belonging and ownership. There is mutual respect and students are always on-task in her classroom. 

“I will continue to do my very best in empowering my students within a positive and nurturing learning environment, while helping them reach their full potential.”

Leslie Harrison

De Portola Elementary

Leslie Harrison not only imparts knowledge but also ignites a genuine excitement for learning among her students. Her innovative teaching methods, such as Socratic seminars and captivating plays, engage young minds and make the classroom a vibrant space for exploration. What sets Harrison apart is her ability to teach life lessons alongside academic subjects. She instills important values, shaping students into responsible, compassionate individuals. She is deeply valued by parents, peers, administration, and most importantly, the students she guides. She incorporates dynamic teaching techniques, fostering a stimulating learning environment. Her commitment extends to mentoring future educators. She hosts student teachers and serves as an adjunct professor in the evening, inspiring the next generation of teachers with her passion and expertise. Beyond her teaching role, Harrison is personally involved in every aspect of school life. She actively participates in school activities, leading by example. As the Peer Assistance Leader (PAL) advisor, she organizes students in grades four to six to undertake meaningful community service and nonprofit work, instilling a sense of social responsibility in the young hearts.

“I consider myself extremely fortunate to get to do what I do every day, and to know it has been appreciated via this nomination is satisfying, as well.”

Suzanne Huerta

School

Suzanne Huerta is the kind of teacher we all hope our children will have, at least once in their school career. She has made her students understand that they are thinkers and problem-solvers. Through the use of technology, she creates math problems with animations that engage and excite her special education students. She creates real-life situations that make math meaningful. Whether it’s about Mason having a stuffed animal party and needing to share cookies with his friends, or Tania running X amount of miles over Y amount of days, by using the students and their interests, she draws them into math. Huerta believes that parents are our partners in the education of our kids. To involve them more, she has revamped traditional homework into Monthly Family Projects. For October, students and families created a book report along with a pumpkin decorated as a character from the book. Her students answered questions about the book and the character as other classes came in to visit the Pumpkin Museum. 

“Our ultimate goal is for every student to be included and to be honored along with their general education peers and this indicates that we are well on our way.”

Jina Iglesias

La Vista High School

Jina Iglesias is an English teacher, English department chair, campus technology TOSA and master teacher at La Vista High School. She has spearheaded transformative change to the school’s instruction and positive culture during her nine-and-a-half-year tenure. Her consistent use of highly effective instructional strategies — Socratic seminars, carousel activities, daily measurable objectives, etc. — is commendable. It is, however, her intuition for connecting with students and her talent for creating dynamic lessons that engage all students that make her a master of her craft. In her role as the English department chair, Iglesias has embraced the tenants of the professional learning community (PLC). Her team meets regularly to examine student data to ensure all students are learning at their highest capacity. This data led her team to develop a school-wide writing exam to determine student gaps in their implementation of the writing process. As a result, two sections of a new English Composition class were added to the master schedule that provides targeted writing intervention to students who underperform on the school-wide writing exam.

“Thanks to the support from our wonderful students and staff, I can continue pouring my heart into doing exactly what I love.”

Jenny Jordan

Christ Lutheran Church and School

Jenny Jordan has been teaching for 43 years at Christ Lutheran Church and School and her joy and passion for teaching is instantly obvious to anyone who meets her for the first time.  Longtime associates and colleagues know her as a dedicated, inspiring and energetic teacher who seeks to give both students and families the highest quality education possible. Jordan contributes to Christ Lutheran School in a way no one else can match. She teaches history to all middle school students. She leads eighth-grade students and families to Washington, DC each year. She conducts mock trials with students and brings in lawyers to serve as court justices. She teaches middle school choir and middle school chamber choir, and takes middle school choirs to residential care facilities for the elderly, to sing during the holidays. She leads choirs in church services and local competitions. She is the lead organizer and facilitator of the school’s fall festival. She organizes and facilitates weekly chapel services for all K-8 students by collaborating with other religious schools and organizations in the area. 

“After teaching for over 40 years, this was such an unexpected and exciting honor to be recognized for something I love to do.”

Timothy McCann

St. Paul’s Lutheran School

When your child comes home excitedly announcing — “You’re not going to believe what we did in Mr. McCann’s class today! We made the perfect pancake in science class because we studied matter and chemical reactions!” — you know you have a teacher who’s going to make a lasting impact on your child’s education. He is building a 25-year legacy of changing lives for the better through his positive connections with students and families. His experience spans both elementary and middle school grade levels with a focus on teaching both fifth-grade and middle school social studies. He takes his roles and responsibilities as an educator very seriously, and his dedication to the craft of educating all his students is quite evident. He took his desire to teach students outside of the classroom as he coached football, basketball and track. He not only taught the sport but helped the athletes build character. It’s his passion that really drives his ability to continually contribute to the well-rounded education of all his students.  

“One of the reasons I became a teacher was that I enjoy teaching children, and it has been a blast watching students learn and grow.”

Kristee Radley

Aliso Niguel High School

Kirstee Radley has been an education specialist for 23 years, dedicating her career to teaching students with special needs. Her unwavering commitment to inclusion, acceptance and community engagement has had a profound impact not only within the school but throughout the entire school community. Radley currently serves as the teacher for the moderate/severe program at Aliso Niguel High School, where she goes above and beyond to teach her students how to integrate academics into their daily lives. One remarkable aspect of her teaching approach is the weekly community-based instruction outings, where her students apply their skills in real-world scenarios. These outings cover essential life skills such as reading signs, crossing streets, practicing social skills, following lists and budgeting. Radley’s dedication extends beyond the classroom as she received a Workability Grant to establish the Teal Cafe at Aliso Niguel High School. By having teachers order hot or cold beverages, students from Radley’s class gain practical experience by delivering these drinks, reinforcing their social and communication skills.

“Through my partnerships at Aliso Niguel High School, including students and staff, we have collaborated to make an inclusive environment for all.”

Katherine Bezayiff

Maple Elementary School

“This recognition not only celebrates my efforts but also acknowledges the positive impact I strive to make on the young minds in my classroom and at my school.”

Dave Brenner

Red Hill Lutheran School

“All glory belongs to God for blessing me with the opportunity to teach at a school where I have tremendous support from the administration and wonderful collaboration with my colleagues.”

Ryan Clark

Fairmont Private Schools – Historic Anaheim Campus

“This nomination gives me the reassurance that I am in a field that truly makes a difference in the lives of others.”

Susanna DeLeon

Fairmont Private Schools – Anaheim Hills Campus

“I am the teacher I am today because of the many amazing teachers I have met and learned from that help shape me as a teacher throughout my 22-year career.”

Jeff Farr

Foothill High School

“Being nominated for a Top Teacher award means that my 35 years of teaching has had a positive influence on my students and they appreciate my efforts.” 

Qamar Mughal

Orange Crescent School

“This nomination is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the amazing efforts that all educators and staff put into teaching and nurturing the little ones to light the way into a brighter future.”

Esau Perez

Anaheim Elementary Online Academy

“This honor is an acceptance to the innovating academic progress with which the Anaheim Elementary Online Academy serves our community.”

Naomi Perez

Vibrant Minds Charter School

“It is so special to be able to love what I do and also have an impact on the lives of the little ones around me.”

Evan Rathe

Romero-Cruz Academy

“This nomination is an incredible honor, symbolizing the fulfillment I feel sharing my love of music with my amazing students in Santa Ana.”

Alexis Renninger

Red Hill Lutheran School

“I feel very blessed that my students, present and past, enjoy my class so much that they relay their day to their parents.”

Bree Shofner

College Park Elementary

“I love watching my students soar to new academic heights and experience amazing growth during our time together.”

Sarah Spero

Sunset Lane Elementary School

“This nomination is a validation of my efforts to make a positive impact on my students’ lives.”

Lucinda Tafolla

Heritage Oak Private Education

“I am extremely grateful for my family and colleagues who have supported me throughout my career in education.”

Eric Vistmantas

Roosevelt-Walker Academy

“I am deeply grateful for this recognition, which reflects the hard work and passion of our team as a whole.”

Melanie Vogel

Fairmont Private Schools – Anaheim Hills Campus

“What it means to me is that I feel seen, known and appreciated for who I am as an art teacher, artist, mentor and advocate for the arts.” 

Giesy Arellano

Polaris High School

Rocio Chavez-Rubio

Orange County Educational Arts Academy

Kristen Cooke

Olita Elementary School

Diane Escobar

Rancho Santa Margarita Christian School

Jacque Fait

Trabuco Hills High School

Cory Fajardo

Servite High School

Summiya Ilyas

Orange Crescent School

Yoshitha Jayetileke

Little Scholars Academy of California

Harvinder Kaur

IvyCrest Montessori Private School

Stephanie Kieffer

Fairmont Private Schools – Historic Anaheim Campus

Christina Lopez

Jordan Elementary Preschool

Lori Marcoly

G.B. Miller Elementary School

Sahar Muhareb

Orange Crescent School

Cassie Olah

George Washington Carver Elementary School

Maria Quaine

Little Scholars Academy of California

Julie Rierson

Kinetic Academy

Gabe Rusk

Fairmont Preparatory Academy

Karla Taylor

Fairmont Private Schools – Anaheim Hills

Megan Tossey

Moffett Elementary School

Keri Walden

Red Hill Lutheran School

Heather Waldvogel

Melinda Heights Elementary School

Becky Wilhite

Fairmont Private Schools – Historic Anaheim Campus