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Teacher of the Year Program

Tustin Unified School District Teacher of the Year Program

The Tustin Unified School District’s annual awards program recognizes outstanding teachers who have displayed extraordinary teaching, creativity and excellence at their school and community. Winners and all the District’s nominees are honored at the annual Teacher of the Year Dinner in May. The event is co-sponsored by the Tustin Public Schools Foundation and the Tustin Unified School District.

The winning teachers represent the District in the Orange County Teachers of the Year program. The number of teachers to be chosen to represent districts in the Orange County Teachers of the Year program is determined Orange County Department of Education. The Orange County Department of Education interviews selected candidates and announces winners in May. The county finalists then go on to the California and National Teacher of the Year programs.

* Orange County Teacher of the Year Semifinalist
** Orange County Teacher of the Year Finalist
*** Orange County Teacher of the Year AND California Teacher of the Year

 

Year

Elementary School

Middle School

High School
2024

Melani Meekhof

Tustin Memorial Academy

Rey Halili

Utt Middle School

Abbey Zinsser

Tustin High School
2023

Vivian Chang**

  Red Hill Elementary

Colleen Driscoll  

Utt Middle School

Chelsea Dehn  

Foothill High School

2022

Jennifer Resendiz*

Heideman ES

Brook Brown

Columbus Tustin MS

Tracy Dawson**

Beckman HS

 

 

Year

Elementary Level

Secondary Level
2021

Adriana Zamora

Sycamore Magnet Academy

Michael Fisk*

Tustin High School
2020

Allison Goodlander**

Barbara Benson Elementary School

Rick McKinley*

Foothill High School
2019

Megan Venezia*

Estock Elementary School

 Stacy Colon

Beckman High School
 2018

Carrie Murillo*

              Nelson Elementary School                

          Joanna Vandal*

                       Tustin High School                

2017

Elizabeth Catron
Heritage Elementary School

Chris Price
Foothill High School

2016

Courtney Smith**
Tustin Memorial Academy

Zachariah Samarin*
A.G. Currie MS

2015

Janis Leach**
Arroyo ES

Johnny Gonzalez
Beckman HS

2014

Jennifer Morrow
Hicks Canyon ES

 

Joy Wardlaw
Orchard Hills School

 

 

Year

Elementary School

Middle School

High School

2013

Cindy Ellis

Tustin Ranch ES

Jennifer Kang-Rodriguez

A.G. Currie MS

Jeff Farr

Foothill HS

2012

Jennifer Sandland**
Peters Canyon ES

Kristina Posavec
C.E. Utt MS

David Goldenberg***
Beckman HS

2011

Tina Kim**
C.C. Lambert ES

Jaclyn Martin
Pioneer MS

Monique Dale
Foothill HS

2010

Michael Hoffmann
C.C. Lambert ES

Jamie Joyce*
A.G. Currie MS

Heather Combest
Hillview HS

2009

Emily Neddersen
Myford ES

Lisa Fuggitti
Pioneer MS

Darin Hallstrom*
Beckman HS

2008

Kimberly Luther
Hicks Canyon ES

Alison Ngo
Columbus Tustin MS

Natasha Hamlin*
Tustin HS

2007

Katy Sheyka
C.C. Lambert ES

Eric Kilian**
Hewes MS

Joan Kasper
Foothill HS

2006

Ted Wert
Arroyo ES

Ian Williamson*
C.E. Utt MS

Linda Levine*
Tustin HS

 

Year

 

 

2005

Dean Jennings
Hewes MS

John Nolan
Foothill HS

2004

Doug Fischer
Pioneer MS

Annie Tran
Tustin HS

2003

Monica Azimioara*
Columbus Tustin MS

Dr. Paul Lewanski***
Tustin HS

2002

Dan Langston*
C.C. Lambert ES

Helen McCabe**
A.G. Currie MS

2001

Susan Anthony
Loma Vista ES

Susan Geery*
Tustin HS

2000

Georgeanna Stark
C.E. Utt MS

Sean Pfaff
Foothill HS

1999

Carla Poellnitz*
W.R. Nelson ES

Kathy Sampson
Columbus Tustin MS

 

Year

 

1998

Darin Hallstrom
A.G. Currie MS

1997

Kathy Greenwood
Marjorie Veeh ES

1996

David Peay
Hewes MS and Foothill HS

1995

Rhonda Parks**
W.R. Nelson ES

1994

Betsy Banyard-Florence
Columbus Tustin MS

1993

Diana Carr
Helen Estock ES

1992

Diane Aust
Hewes MS

1991

Bonnie Sharp**
Columbus Tustin MS

1990

Beth Self
W.R. Nelson ES

1989

Lisa Roseman**
Tustin HS

1988

Shirley Saunders
Jeane Thorman ES

1987

Barbara Johnson
Hewes MS