Los Angeles Unified Applauds 2019-20 ‘Teachers of the Year’ (6-06-2019)

Los Angeles Unified Applauds 2019-20 ‘Teachers of the Year’

Five will move on to the Los Angeles County competition

LOS ANGELES (June 6, 2019) -- Los Angeles Unified celebrates 22 inspiring educators for their passion, expertise, success, creativity and devotion to their students and to the teaching profession. These instructors touch many lives in their classrooms. The influence of a great teacher can last forever.

Superintendent Austin Beutner said, “Congratulations to these heroes who excel at the art and science of teaching our students.”

The honorees include teachers in elementary, secondary and adult schools, special-education programs, affiliated charters and magnets. The winners will be honored in September at the Los Angeles County Teachers of the Year luncheon. Five will advance to the Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year competition.

Honorees:

Maria Alcaraz, a dual-language teacher at Lucille Roybal-Allard Elementary School, has been teaching for 17 years.

Keesha Aldridge, a mathematics teacher at Nathaniel Narbonne Senior High School STEAM Magnet, has been teaching for 12 years.

Robyn Arnold, a third-grade teacher at Sherman Oaks Charter Elementary School, has been teaching for 16 years. She will advance to the Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year competition.

Lisa Bennett, a Special Education teacher at Van Gogh Charter Elementary School, has been teaching for 14 years.

Sonia Castro-Lowe, an ESL teacher at Los Angeles Technology Center Community Adult School, has been teaching for 23 years.

Nelly Cristales, a second-grade teacher at 32^nd Street/USC Visual & Performing Arts Magnet School, has been teaching for 19 years.

Monica Erne-Webber, a Special Education teacher at John H. Francis Polytechnic High School, has been teaching for 12 years.

Anna M. Gaiter, a fourth-grade teacher at Plainview Academic Charter Academy, has been teaching for 27 years.

Nikysha D. Gilliam, an English and History teacher at Audubon Middle School, has been teaching for 21 years. She will advance to the Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year competition.

Leslie Hicks, a mathematics teacher at Daniel Pearl Senior High School, has been teaching for 13 years.

Martha Infante, a social studies teacher at Taft Charter High School, has been teaching for 24 years.

Elva Madrigal, a social studies teacher at John H. Francis Polytechnic High School, has been teaching for 13 years.

Claudia Martinez, a dual-language teacher at Lucille Roybal-Allard Elementary School, has been teaching for 17 years.

Dr. Diana McConnell, an instrumental music teacher at Nightingale Middle School, has been teaching for 14 years.

Amelyn Mendoza, a third-grade teacher at Dr. Owen Lloyd Knox Elementary School, has been teaching for 14 years. She will advance to the Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year competition.

Beatris M. Moreno-Arias, a transitional kindergarten teacher at Miles Avenue Elementary School, has been teaching for 15 years.

Dr. April Parker, an English teacher at Huntington Park High School, has been teaching for 13 years.

Jessica Perry-Martin, a visual arts teacher at ArTes Magnet School, has been teaching for 18 years. She will advance to the Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year competition.

Janet Di Giulio Skidmore, an English, History and art elective teacher at Ernest Lawrence Middle School, has been teaching for 23 years.  

Stacy N. Thornton, a fourth-grade teacher at Loyola Village Fine and Performing Arts Magnet School, has been teaching for 22 years.

Amy Kassorla Weisberg, a transitional kindergarten and kindergarten teacher at Topanga Elementary Charter School, has been teaching for 39 years. She will advance to the Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year competition.

Katherine Yonemura, a fourth-grade teacher at Hesby Oaks Leadership Charter School, has been teaching for 32 years.

“Amazing teachers change the trajectory of student lives all over Los Angeles,” Board President Mónica García said. “Congratulations to the Los Angeles Unified Teachers of the Year. Thank you for believing in them, challenging them and having high expectations of them so that they can reach graduation and beyond!”

Board Vice President Nick Melvoin said, “Congratulations to all the teachers being recognized for going above and beyond in the education of our kids! Thank you for the work that you—and all your colleagues—undertake every day to prepare our students to graduate college-and career-ready.”  

“A teacher has the greatest impact on a student, and that impact can last a lifetime,” Board Member Dr. George J. McKenna III said. “I am proud to recognize our Teachers of the Year.”

Board Member Scott M. Schmerelson said, “I spend many hours each week visiting schools in my Board District and never fail to leave a school site without feeling optimistic about the future after observing the talent and commitment of our teaching professionals who do so much under the most challenging and under-resourced conditions. Congratulations to all of the 22 educators who are being recognized for their tireless dedication to the children of Los Angeles Unified.”

“First of all, let me say congratulations to all of you who have been named Teacher of the Year. You are the real heroes in our community, and I want to thank you for all you do,” Board Member Jackie Goldberg said. “We recognize your excellent performance in the classroom, because it means so much to our students.”

"Congratulations to our Teachers of the Year and especially to all of our fantastic educators in the East Valley,” Board Member Kelly Gonez said. “We are so grateful to you for your years of dedication to our students and our schools."

“I want to extend my sincerest appreciation and congratulations to our 2019/2020 Teachers of the Year, and a special note to Amelyn Mendoza from Knox Elementary School and Keesha Aldridge from Narbonne High School,” Board Member Dr. Richard Vladovic said. “We cannot thank you enough for being the exemplary teachers you are.”

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