5 Educators Named 2025 California Teachers Of The Year

CALIFORNIA — Five educators in California were named as the 2025 California Teachers of the Year, the California Department of Education announced.

The teachers were recognized for their outstanding work and their impact on their students, schools and communities.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond praised the winners for their dedication, hard work and innovation.

"These remarkable teachers have a lasting impact on their students, equipping them with the skills needed for success," he said. "They serve as an inspiration and exemplify the exceptional work happening in California schools."

All five teachers reside in Southern California. Three teach in Los Angeles County, one teaches in Riverside County, and another teaches in San Diego County.

Here are the 2025 California Teachers of the Year:

• Matthew Winheim, a middle school STEM aviation and mathematics teacher at Space Aeronautics Gateway to Exploration Magnet Academy in the Palmdale Unified School District in Los Angeles County. Thurmond nominated Winheim as California's representative for the National Teacher of the Year competition. He will compete against other state nominees, and the 2025 National Teacher of the Year will be announced in the spring.
• Kristen LoPrell, a high school mathematics and AP calculus teacher at Grossmont High School in the Grossmont Union High School District in San Diego County.
• Robert Mauger, a high school career and technical education transportation automotive teacher at Corona High School in the Corona-Norco Unified School District in Riverside County.
• Nicholas Westfall, a high school physical education teacher at Alexander Hamilton Senior High School in the Los Angeles Unified School District in Los Angeles County.
• Arby Jean Wolkov, a high school American Sign Language teacher at William Howard Taft Charter High School in the Los Angeles Unified School District in Los Angeles County.

Presented by the California Department of Education and supported by the California Teachers of the Year Foundation, the California Teachers of the Year Program began in 1972 to honor outstanding teachers and encourage and inspire new teachers to enter the profession.

County offices of education nominate California Teachers of the Year applicants through their county-level competitions. The California Department of Education selection committees review applications, interview the teachers, and evaluate their rapport with students, classroom environments, presentation skills and teaching techniques. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction then selects the five California Teachers of the Year and the National Teacher of the Year nominee.