Three local educators representing schools throughout the city have been named the San Diego Unified School District’s 2024 Teachers of the Year, according to district officials.
Universal Transitional Kindergarten teacher Jennifer Nannini from Hancock Elementary School, Standley Middle School math teacher Lisa Clifner and Morse High School English teacher Maria Miller are the 2024 honorees.
Mackenzie Levine from Perry Elementary School, Kellie Marcarelli from Creative Performing Media Arts Middle School and Skye Cooke-Pinon from San Diego High School have been named this year’s runners-up.
Officials named the honorees as part of National Teacher Appreciation Week, May 6-10, where educators will be celebrated at the Day of the Teacher ceremony on May 7. More than 160 Teachers of the Year from individual schools will also be recognized.
“While today we celebrate the remarkable teachers at San Diego Unified, appreciation for our teachers transcends a single day or week of recognition,” Superintendent Dr. Lamont Jackson said. “It’s woven into the everyday moments: the sparkle in a student’s eye when they grasp a challenging concept, the cheers as a soccer team scores the winning goal, in the heartfelt notes of gratitude from parents, and in the warm embraces shared between students who find a sense of belonging. These are the little moments of magic that fill our school days, made possible by the unwavering dedication of our teachers.”
Teacher of the Year candidates go through a rigorous selection process, first being chosen by staff members at their school, then a panel including former Teachers of the Year. San Diego Unified’s teachers of the year and runners-up may advance to compete for San Diego County Teacher of the Year honors.
During Teacher Appreciation Week, San Diego Unified encourages the community to honor teachers by sharing a post, image or video of a special educator in their life. The district challenges San Diegans to thank a teacher either in person, or on social media using the hashtag #ThankATeacherSD.
For more information about this year’s winners and the San Diego Unified Teacher of the Year celebration, go to the district’s website.