Oceanside Teacher Xye Sanders Among 5 County Teachers of the Year

OCEANSIDE, CA — The 2021-22 San Diego County Teachers of the Year were honored earlier this month at a reception as part of the 31st annual Cox Presents: Salute to Teachers, presented by San Diego County Credit Union.

Among the five local educators named Teachers of the Year, was Xylena Sanders, who teaches grades 7 and 8 at César Chávez Middle School, Oceanside Unified School District.

Xye teaches math core, math and language arts intervention, learning center, and advisory to seventh and eighth grade students. As an education specialist, Xye aims to make learning meaningful for every student by showing them that learning is a part of life and can help lead them to great things. She builds relationships with students to discover what makes them tick and how they learn best. “I express my expectations and positive belief that a student doesn’t have to be good at or know everything, but they just need to find success in something to start believing that they are capable of anything.” In addition to teaching, Xye is a member of a team at Chávez that brings new digital technology ideas into schools, put policies in place for student athletes to understand the balance of sports and academics, and started the Girls that Code club.

From Jenny Morgan, César Chávez Middle School principal “Ms. Sander’s ability to develop trusting relationships with students is built upon her knowledge of each individual student’s needs and backgrounds. She is accessible and approachable to all, her enthusiasm and energy are contagious, and I challenge anyone within proximity to Ms. Sanders to leave her presence without experiencing a reset in mindset and outlook! She exudes excitement in all she does.”

Xye Sanders was also honored in June at the 2021 Heroes Of Oceanside & Camp Pendleton Awards presented by the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce.

(Xye Sanders awarded as Oceanside Unified School District Teacher of the Year on June 24, 2021. Photo left to right, Supervisor Jim Desmond, Teacher Xye Sanders, Mayor Esther Sanchez, Dr. Julie Vitale, OUSD Superintendent.)

The 2021-22 County Teachers of the Year were chosen from among 33 teachers nominated by their school districts for their commitment to students, teaching, and lifelong learning. The winners were selected based on a review of their applications and interviews by a panel made up of former County Teachers of the Year, school and county office of education administrators, and a PTA representative. They were chosen based on school-community involvement, teaching philosophy, knowledge of current issues and trends in education, promotion and development of the teaching profession, school culture, and ability to serve as ambassadors of education.

The 2021-22 San Diego County Teachers of the Year are:

• Tiffany Jokerst, West Hills High School, Grossmont Union High School District
• Jacquelyn Jourdane, San Altos Elementary School, Lemon Grove School District
• Heather McClain, James Dukes Elementary School, Ramona Unified School District
• Laura Reyes, Central Elementary School, Escondido Union School District
• Xye Sanders, César Chávez Middle School, Oceanside Unified School District

“As we face another year in this pandemic, teachers continue to go above and beyond for their students. They work tirelessly to make sure students’ social and emotional needs are cared for while providing the supports they need to participate and succeed in school,” said Dr. Paul Gothold, San Diego County superintendent of schools. “San Diego County teachers are talented. They are dedicated. And they are resilient. It’s an honor to be recognizing these amazing educators and individuals.”

In partnership with the San Diego County Office of Education, Cox Communications will produce a one-hour “Cox Presents: Salute to Teachers” television special to recognize local teachers, spotlight the teachers of the year, and share highlights from the reception. The show will air at 9 p.m. Oct. 17 on YurView Network (Cox Channel 4 and 1004 in high definition) and will replay several times in October and November.

“Cox is proud of our 31-year partnership with the San Diego County Office of Education to recognize our local public school teachers. Their commitment to their students, especially during the pandemic, has been awe-inspiring,” said Ingo Hentschel, senior vice president and region manager for Cox Communications. “’Cox Presents: Salute to Teachers’” is a way for the community to say ‘thank you’ to our teachers, and we’re excited to highlight their passion for teaching, dedication to their students and creativity in the classroom.”

The five Teachers of the Year will represent San Diego County in the California Teacher of the Year program. The state winners will be announced next month. Since 1974, 186 teachers have been named San Diego County Teacher of the Year. Of those, 22 were named California Teacher of the Year, and three went on to be named National Teacher of the Year.

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