• The Rookie of the Year (ROY) Program recognizes outstanding first year teachers nominated by school principals. The ROY Program selects between 17-18 teachers for their effective teaching practices and classroom management in preparing all students to be successful 21st Century learners. They are also selected for their professionalism and commitment to growth and development in the teaching profession.  

    The selection process starts with nominations by principals. ROY nominees who advance to the final phase are invited to record and submit a video of their responses to prompts. Region Selection Committees will view and score videos using a standardized rubric. Using the video scores and principals’ comments, each Region Selection Committee selects their top candidates. 

    Los Angeles Unified Rookies of the Year
JosephArechiga

Joseph Arechiga

Verdugo Hills High School

SPED SDC English Teacher

Andrea Gaona

Andrea Gaona

Alta California Elementary School

Kindergarten Teacher

Heidi Ballard

Heidi Ballard

Bonita Street STEAM Academy

Fifth Grade Teacher

Lindsey Garces

Lindsey Garces

Ascot Avenue Elementary School

Second Grade Teacher

Matthew Del Mundo

Matthew Del Mundo

International Studies

Learning Center

9th and 10th Grade English Teacher

Justine Gobble

Justine Gobble

Chatsworth Park UP/CD

Magnet Elementary School

Second Grade Teacher

Susan Kim

Susan Kim

Los Angeles High School of the Arts at RFK Community Schools

12th Grade Teacher

Sara Martino

Sara Martino

Hancock Park Elementary School

First Grade Teacher

Amy Lee

Amy Eunyeoung Lee

Commonwealth Avenue Elementary School

Fourth Grade Teacher

Alden Maynor

Alden Maynor

Main Street Elementary School

First Grade Teacher

Angela Liu

Kingsley Elementary School

Fourth Grade Teacher

Lauryn Merriweather

Lauryn Merriweather

54th Street Elementary School

First Grade Teacher

Lilian Peralta-Alba

Anna Needham

Union Avenue Elementary School

SPED Grades TK to Second Grade Autism Core Teacher

Olivia Stehlin

Olivia Stehlin

Paul Revere Charter Middle School

Seventh Grade ELA Teacher

LeAnn Nguyen

LeAnn Nguyen

Andrew Carnegie Arts, Media, Music and Entertainment Magnet

Sixth Grade Math and Science Teacher

Thomas Wood

Thomas Woods

Sherman Oaks Elementary Charter

Third Grade Teacher

Edwin Ramirez

Edwin Ramirez

Camellia Avenue Elementary School

SPED Lower Autism Class Teacher