San Diego County Awards 5 Teachers After Tough COVID-19 Year

SAN DIEGO, CA – San Diego County has given awards to five teachers based in part on how they handled the sudden demands of giving online classes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The San Diego County Office of Education announced Sept. 10 2021-22 Teacher of the Year awards, giving all five an automatic shot at winning statewide teacher of the year recognition.

A second-grade teacher who insisted on leaving no student behind, a high school math instructor who found ways to ease student fears of a tough subject matter and an interventional support teacher were among the five picked from a field of 33 candidates.

Escondido Union Elementary School District elementary school instructor Laura Reyes, the intervention specialist, jumped into online learning last year by holding a bedtime stories night for her students and, on another occasion, asking them to collect objects in their homes that start with the letter B. They even filmed snail races the day after a rainstorm.

"I think it’s going above and beyond — it's about teaching them that school is not just about sitting in a chair all day," said Reyes, a teacher of 23 years. "It’s about making it real."

School districts throughout the county picked candidates for the awards and sent their names to a selection committee made up of former awardees, county education office representatives and parent-teacher association members. Candidates followed up with essays and letters of recommendation.

Teachers are doing more than normal for their students as the pandemic continues, said Paul Gothold, San Diego County superintendent of schools. “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,” Gothold said in the statement.

Teachers statewide called off classes, held them online or both as the COVID-19 pandemic ripped through the state in early 2020. In San Diego County, 98 percent of school districts had reopened for in-person learning as of May this year.

“This has been a very challenging year for teachers as it has for students as well,” said Jennifer Rodriguez, a county education office communications specialist. “So, many teachers had to put together multiple lesson plans that covered online learning, in-person learning or a combination of both. I know each of them has had a challenging time over the past year.”

Digital cable provider Cox Communications will follow up the awards with a one-hour television special to recognize local teachers and spotlight the teachers of the year. The 31st annual "Salute to Teachers" will begin airing 9 p.m. Oct. 17 on the YurView Network.