• The Teacher of the Year (TOY) Program honors teachers with a strong commitment to their students, school, and the community. The program spotlights positive aspects of education and pays tribute to our richly diverse teaching force. Of the many nominations made, 24 teachers are selected.  

    Our process aligns with the Los Angeles County of Education Teacher of the Year Program. Five of our Los Angeles Unified Teachers of the Year will advance to the county's selection process and may have an opportunity to be chosen as California Teacher of the Year. If so identified, the individual will have the opportunity to compete for National Teacher of the Year! 

    Los Angeles Unified Teachers of the Year

Kelly Cheresnick

Kelly Cheresnick

The Academy for Enriched Sciences

Kindergarten Teacher

Jiminez_Karina-Lopez

Karina Lopez

Eastman Avenue Elementary School

4th Grade Dual Language Teacher

Denise Cole

Denise Cole

Open Magnet Charter School

3rd & 4th Grade Teacher

Andrew Lopez

Andrew Lewis

Ramon C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts

Music Teacher

Lilia Guerrero

Lilia Guerrero

Ninth Street Elementary School

ETK/TK Teacher

Jo Anna Ley

Jo Anna Ley

Math, Science, and Technology Magnet Academy at Roosevelt High School

English/Humanities/ELD/Speech/Theatre Teacher

Patricia Lingard

Patricia Lingard

Castlebay Lane Charter School

Kindergarten Teacher

Kimberly Min

Kimberly Min

Open Magnet Charter School

First & Second Grade Teacher

Marcella Lopez

Marcella Lopez

Frank del Olmo Elementary School

First Grade Teacher

Elsa Mora

Elsa Mora

Carpenter Community Charter School

Fifth Grade Teacher

Cassandra McGrath

Theodore Roosevelt High School

AP English Literature/ERWC Teacher

Sofia Mota

Sofia Mota

Aldama Elementary School

TK Teacher

Lilian Peralta-Alba

Lillian Peralta-Alba

Open Magnet Charter School

4th & 5th Grade Teacher

Mark Ramos

Mark Ramos

Benjamin Franklin High School

AP World History/Ethnic Studies Teacher

Jeremy Sayers

Jeremy Sayers

Taper Avenue Elementary & STEAM Magnet

2nd Grade Teacher

Maureen Silvano

66th Street Elementary School

Resource Specialist (K-6th)

Aura Pimentel Moody

Aura Pimentel

Glenfeliz Boulevard Elementary School

Kindergarten Teacher

Claudia Reiland

Claudia Reiland

Gulf Avenue Elementary STEAM School & Magnet Center

4th Grade Teacher

Stuart Sellz

Stuart Sellz

Ernest Lawrence Middle School

6th to 8th Grade Physical Education Teacher

Laura White

Laura White

Adapted Physical Education

Physical Education Teacher

Lorilee Quizon

Lorilee Quizon

Slawson Southeast Occupational Center

Adult Secondary Teacher

Dana Rhinerson

Dana Rhinerson

Marlton School

Deaf and Hard of Hearing 1st to 6th Grade Teacher

Cari Shapiro

Winnetka Avenue Elementary School

3rd Grade Teacher

Alvaro Zimmermann

Alvaro Zimmermann

San Gabriel Avenue Elementary School

5th Grade Teacher