Gates Elementary Educator Named One California's Teachers Of Year

LAKE FOREST, CA — A third-grade teacher at Gates Elementary has been recognized as one of five California teachers of the year which were announced Friday by the state department of education.

Alondra Diaz, who is also a dual immersion teacher at Gates Elementary, was among the honorees, which also included another Orange County educator. Diaz joined Sovantevy Long-Latteri, who is a special education teacher at La Sierra High School in Fullerton, along with Nichi Avina, a Palm Springs middle school teacher, Tiffany Jokerst, a high school teacher at West Hills High School in San Diego, and Virginia Vasquez, an AP Language Arts teacher at San Gabriel High School in Los Angeles County, officials said.

“In what may be the toughest ever time for California families, students and educators, these five innovative and caring teachers have made profound differences in the lives of their students and communities,” said Tony Thurmond, the state’s superintendent of public instruction said in a news release Friday. “I’m proud that these educators are receiving this prestigious honor for their continued effort to connect with students even during unimaginable circumstances, to address their needs, and support them in any way they can.”

In addition to being named one of the five California teachers of the year, Diaz was also nominated by Thurmond Friday to represent the state in the national Teacher of the Year competition. Diaz will compete against other state nominees when the 2022 National Teacher of the Year will be announced in the spring.

The California Teachers of the Year Program began in 1972 to honor outstanding teachers and encourage and inspire new teachers to enter the profession.