Five San Diego educators were surprised at their schools this week with the news that they have been named the latest San Diego County Teachers of the Year.
The winners are honored for making lasting differences in students’ lives.
“We had such an inspiring group of educators this year, and it was important to honor each and every one of them with the Cox Present: Salute to Teachers event,” said Dr. Paul Gothold, San Diego County superintendent of schools, in a statement.
“This group of educators highlights the passion and diverse expertise that teachers across the county have. I know the judges had a difficult time picking only five Teachers of the Year.”
The five winners are:
- Maria Miller, Morse High School, San Diego Unified School District
- Mackenzie Levine, Perry Elementary School, San Diego Unified School District
- Kristen LoPrell, Grossmont High School, Grossmont Union High School District
- Peter Manzi, Carlsbad High School, Carlsbad Unified School District
- Jennifer Ekstein, Bonita Vista High School, Sweetwater Union High School District
Educators must be fully credentialed, full-time teachers in order to qualify for the award. They also have to have demonstrated leadership, a commitment to lifelong learning, and strong communication skills.
The winners were either surprised in their classrooms or at assemblies as part of the 34th annual Cox Presents: Salute to Teachers program, a collaboration between Cox and the San Diego County Office of Education. Footage will be aired on Cox’s YurView network (Channel 4 on Cox and Spectrum) in September.
Additionally, all of the county’s 51 school district teachers of the year were honored in April at a special event held before judges selected the five winners.
Other sponsors of the annual event include SDCCU, Murray Lampert Design, Build, Remodel, the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, the University of San Diego, Procopio, iHeart Radio, The Mightier 1090, and the San Diego Union-Tribune.
