16 Educators Named 2024-25 Los Angeles County Teachers of the Year
Fri Sep 20 15:30:00 PDT 2024
Sixteen educators were honored today as the 2024-25 Los Angeles County Teachers of the Year during the 43rd Annual Teachers of the Year Awards banquet at the Universal Hilton Hotel.
The Los Angeles County Teachers of the Year Program, the largest of its kind in the state and nation, is part of the oldest and most prestigious recognition program for public school educators in the U.S. These 16 outstanding teachers will now move on to represent L.A. County in the California Teachers of the Year competition this fall, joining other top educators from across the state
"Our teachers are the heart and soul of our schools,” said Dr. Debra Duardo, L.A. County Superintendent of Schools. “Their passion for education, creativity in the classroom, and deep dedication to their students make an immeasurable impact. They remind us every day why teaching is the foundation of a strong community.”
Recognized as the county's top public-school teachers for the academic year, these 16 educators represent the very best of the profession, setting the standard for their 73,000 colleagues countywide. Each honoree will receive a $1,000 cash award from the California Credit Union, the program’s platinum sponsor.
“At California Credit Union Foundation, we understand the profound impact teachers have on empowering our communities. We are honored to recognize the dedication and passion of educators who go above and beyond as the platinum sponsor of the 2024 LA County Teachers of the Year program,” said California Credit Union Foundation President Marvel Ford. “The Foundation’s mission is to strengthen the financial well-being of our communities, and there is no question that education is the cornerstone of a healthy community. We congratulate these outstanding teachers and thank them for their commitment to inspiring a culture of lifelong learning.”
The 16 honorees were chosen from a highly competitive pool of 69 teachers representing 65 school districts. All participants had already been named Teacher of the Year by their respective school districts.
As part of the rigorous selection process, nominees submitted essays, lesson plans, and other materials, and were interviewed by judging panels consisting of past California Teachers of the Year. The contest at all levels seeks to spotlight teaching excellence and recognize exemplary dedication, innovative classroom practices, and significant contributions to the profession.
The state will announce the five California Teachers of the Year in October. One of those will go on to represent California in the National Teacher of the Year competition next year.
Watch a video of the highlight of the ceremony below.
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The 2024-25 Los Angeles County Teachers of the Year
Nadine Page Phillips
Alhambra Unified School District | Mark Keppel High School—Drama & Theater
Years Teaching: 25
For Nadine an important part of her performance-based classes, whether in class discussions or on the stage, is connecting theater to real-world situations. This involves critical thinking, asking questions and sharing opinions to raise the level of debate.
Quote of Note: “Ms. Phillips successfully works with a diverse group of students of varying ability levels,” notes her principal. “Students from all areas of the school request her classes.”
Courtney Franz
Arcadia Unified School District | Holly Avenue Elementary School—TK-5th Special Education
Years Teaching: 20
Courtney will always remember when, on the last day of the school year, one of her fourth-grade special education students gave her a sweet goodbye, saying “I can’t wait until next year!” before he walked out of the gate toward his mom’s car.
Quote of Note: A grateful parent writes, “Rather than a stock answer, Ms. Franz would always give us thoughtful and honest responses about our son, which invited ongoing dialogue.”
Jesse Braun
Beverly Hills Unified School District | Beverly Vista Middle School—Library Media/Yearbook/Home Hospital
Years Teaching: 27
As a teacher librarian, Jesse not only teaches basic digital and information literacy, but strives to make his library shelves an inclusive space that provides diverse books and other resources to serve the widely diverse students who step through its doors.
Quote of Note: According to these eloquent and appreciative parents, “Mr. Braun is an amazing role model and multi-tasking educational rock star who lives to inspire and encourage.”
Theresa Vargas
Burbank Unified School District | Dolores Huerta Middle School—English Language Development
Years Teaching: 33
Teri began the year teaching six middle school ELD periods a day, with students speaking 12 different languages. She was tempted to throw her hands up in frustration, but, relying on experience, passion and perseverance, met all these challenges head-on.
Quote of Note: A colleague offers moving testimony: “Through Teri’s leadership, I found the courage to speak up for what I believe and developed a greater sense of purpose as an educator.”
Justin Smith
Centinela Valley Union High School District | Leuzinger High School—English/AP Literature & Composition
Years Teaching: 11
After logging more than 1,700 volunteer hours with AmeriCorps in the Pacific Northwest, Justin knew he could make it in L.A. as a teacher. These days he delights in taking his AP language students snorkeling, kayaking and even snowshoeing in Yosemite.
Quote of Note: High praise courtesy of an ex-student: “Mr. Smith combines his one-of-a-kind teaching skills with a vibrant personality, making his classroom a place of excitement.”
Lisa Hatfield
Las Virgenes Unified School District | Arthur E. Wright Middle School—Social Studies
Years Teaching: 35
A prime goal for Lisa throughout her 35 years of teaching social studies has been to send students off to the next grade level excited to learn what’s next—and also, at that next level, to be able to employ the skills that they have learned with her.
Quote of Note: Praise from a longtime colleague: “Lisa’s leadership in the integration of artificial technology in the classroom is a testament to her commitment to her students.”
Erica Rood Lundy
Los Angeles Unified School District | Welby Way Charter Elementary School—5th Grade Gifted
Years Teaching: 16
Erica strives to make her fifth-grade “gifted” classroom a colorful, collaborative space, one where all students feel safe, where silliness is welcomed and where expectations are high.
Quote of Note: “This was my last year in elementary school,” writes a former fifth-grader, “and it’s wonderful that I got to have Mrs. Lundy as my last elementary school teacher.”
Nicholas Westfall
Los Angeles Unified School District | Alexander Hamilton Senior High School—Physical Education
Years Teaching: 13
As a boy, Nick asked his dad what he should be when he grew up. His dad said that if he could go back, he’d be a PE teacher so he could wear basketball shorts all day and teach kids how to play sports. Nick would find out there’s a lot more to PE than that.
Quote of Note: A former student recalls that “Mr. Westfall’s yoga class stressed that we don’t only focus on the wellness of ourselves, but the wellness of the community as a whole.”
Arby Jean Wolkov
Los Angeles Unified School District | William Howard Taft Charter High School—American Sign Language
Years Teaching: 12
The ringing bell is the last sound to be heard in the classroom before the students of American Sign Language are greeted silently with the signs for “Good morning!” After they all sign back, it’s time for another morning of sign language with Mrs. Wolkov.
Quote of Note: A fellow teacher observes, “I have witnessed Mrs. Wolkov’s ASL students flourish through her Silent Weekend events via team-building activities and social interaction.”
Matthew Winheim
Palmdale School District | Space Aeronautics Gateway to Exploration Magnet Academy—Aviation/Drones/Math
Years Teaching: 8
When people ask Matthew why he’s still in his classroom at night, or what motivates him, he tells them that he expects his aviation STEM students to be ready to learn, and that they expect him to be ready to teach them always with his “A-game.”
Quote of Note: An administrator notes, “Mr. Winheim’s passion for mathematics education helped him become district coordinator for STEAM education, a position he held for five years.”
Paula Stella Martinez
Rowland Unified School District | Telesis Academy of Science and Math—U.S. History/English/Debate
Years Teaching: 26
Challenging topics of conversation arise within the U.S. history curriculum, and in Paula’s middle school classroom. She is delighted to witness the empathy and adroitness with which her students contemplate and discuss these important issues.
Quote of Note: According to a district administrator, “Paula’s students speak of how she makes history come to life then supports them as they work together to strengthen their reading skills.”
Flor de Maria Garcia
South Whittier School District | Loma Vista Elementary School—Sixth Grade
Years Teaching: 8
Flor believes in making learning memorable. She once went so far as to bring a rabbit and a pig to class in order to help her eighth-graders engage in a fun and creative classroom discussion comparing and contrasting the two animals.
Quote of Note: “As a teacher leader,” notes an administrator, “Flor serves as a mentor and advocate for students, inspiring her colleagues to strive for excellence in their own practices.”
Nicolle Fazis
Torrance Unified School District | J. H. Hull Middle School—Algebra 1 & Study Skills
Years Teaching: 20
In college Nicolle thought about what career she could see herself doing daily that would bring her joy. Her answer came as she recalled her kindergarten self, setting up her stuffed animals as students and using her letter books to teach her “class.”
Quote of Note: Inspiring words from an ex-student: “Ms. Fazis fanned the flames of my love for math and I don’t think I would be where I am without her enthusiasm and generosity.”
Lisa Walker
Westside Union School District | Valley View Elementary School—Kindergarten
Years Teaching: 11
Lisa strives to meet all her kindergartners’ needs based on their varying learning abilities and includes real-life experiences to make content meaningful. While reading a story about bread-making, she had her students bake loaves of artisan bread.
Quote of Note: Over the years these grateful parents sent four children to Ms. Walker’s kindergarten class: “She will forever be the most impactful teacher in all our kids’ lives!”
Nicole Jolicoeur
William S. Hart Union High School District | Rancho Pico Junior High School—Special Education/Physical Education
Years Teaching: 15
It was the resilience, potential and pure joy of special needs students that originally inspired Nicole to enter the field of special education. These same qualities continue to inspire her today to be a part of their educational journey and personal growth.
Quote of Note: Words of praise and gratitude from the mother of an autistic student: “Mrs. Jolicoeur sees the child before the disability and recognizes all that is wonderful in my son.”
Aiko Anglim
Wiseburn Unified School District | Hollyglen & Del Aire Elementary Schools—TK-Second Grade/Music
Years Teaching: 16
Coming to America from Japan at age 6 and speaking no English, Aiko found that music played a huge role in her young lifeand music teachers helped shape her as a person. Her goal is to create these same kinds of connections with her own students.
Quote of Note: An administrator heaps praise on a recent spring music performance: “It truly is incredible what these young students can accomplish under Mrs. Anglim’s guidance.”
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