• The Teacher of the Year (TOY) program honors teachers who demonstrate a strong commitment to their students, school and community. It highlights the positive aspects of education and honors the diversity within our teaching community. Each year, from numerous nominations, 24 Los Angeles Unified Teachers of the Year are selected for their excellence, creativity and ability to make a difference in the lives of their students.

    The selection process mirrors the Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year program. Five of our outstanding teachers from Los Angeles Unified will progress to the county's selection process, with the chance to be named California Teacher of the Year. If selected, the individual will then have the opportunity to compete for the title of National Teacher of the Year. 

Congratulations to the Los Angeles Unified Teachers of the Year

g

Goar Baroyan
Sherman Oaks Elementary Charter 
UTK/Collaborative Classroom 

Amy Cruz
Vintage Science Technology Engineering
Mathematics Magnet
Fifth Grade  

c

Evelyn Caballero-Martinez
Canterbury Elementary and Gifted Magnet
Third Grade  

Beth Dror
Rosewood STEM Magnet Urban Planning
and Urban Design 
Fourth Grade  

c

Maria Camarena
Maywood Center for Enriched Studies 
Grades 9-12 Computer Science  

g

Christina Goodman
Northridge Academy High School
Grades 11-12 Social Studies, Government,
Economics, Psychology and Sociology 

Suzanna Gordon
Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies Magnet 
Grades 6-12 ELD, AP English Literature,
AVID, Academic Decathlon

Seunghwan Jeon
Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools
Ambassador School of Global Education
Grades 1-2

Danielle Green 
Santee Education Complex
Grades 9-12 Business and Finance  

Marci Kaye
John Marshall High School 
Grades 9-12 Special Education

Megan Hino
Related Services: Adapted Physical Education 
Grades K-12  

Olivia Lam
Rosewood STEM Magnet of Urban Planning
and Urban Design
Fifth Grade 

Janet Lee-Ortiz
International Studies and World
Languages Virtual Academy 
Eighth Grade Math and Science 

Jennifer Morris Barbee
Nathaniel Narbonne High School 
Grades 10-12 Algebra 2

Jennifer Richard-Gantka 
John F. Kennedy High School 
Grades 9-12 Science and Leadership 

Luz Villaneda
Dr. James Edward Jones Primary Center 
First Grade 

Erica Lundy
Welby Way Charter Elementary and
Gifted-High Ability Magnet 
Fifth Grade 

Phone Noe
Rosemont Avenue Elementary School
Grades 2-5 

Melanie Ronning
James Madison Middle School and Magnets
Grades 6-8 English Language Arts

Nicholas Westfall 
Alexander Hamilton Senior High School 
Grades 9-12 Physical Education 

David Metz
Santee Education Complex
Grades 9-12 Theater

Christian Reed 
Figueroa Street Elementary School 
Fifth Grade 

Michelle Sawyers
William Mulholland Middle School 
and Magnets
Grades 6-8 English 

Arby Jean Wolkov
William Howard Taft Charter High School 
and Magnets
Grades 9-12 American Sign Language