News Summary
Jeannette Aguilera, a third-grade teacher at Centralia Elementary School, has been recognized as one of six Orange County Teachers of the Year. The award was presented during a surprise visit by the superintendent. Aguilera, who is expecting her first child, was chosen from a pool of 20,000 teachers for her dedication to education and innovative teaching methods. This honor acknowledges her commitment to student success and initiatives like the school’s first Leadership Day.
Anaheim – Jeannette Aguilera, a dedicated third-grade teacher at Centralia Elementary School, was recently honored as one of the six Orange County Teachers of the Year. The announcement, made in a surprise visit by Orange County Superintendent Stefan Bean, occurred just days before Aguilera is set to welcome her first child. She was chosen from a competitive pool of approximately 20,000 teachers across Orange County, highlighting her exceptional contributions to education.
During the surprise presentation, Aguilera received a plaque adorned with a red apple, gifts from SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, and a replica of a $25,000 check, which will be officially awarded at an upcoming gala in the fall hosted at the Disneyland Hotel. The emotional moment saw Aguilera’s students erupt in cheers and screams, prompting her to seek tissues as she absorbed the significance of the recognition. In her heartfelt response, Aguilera made it clear that her students’ accomplishments as “Students of the Year” directly correlated with the honor she received.
Aguilera’s commitment to teaching spans a decade, and she regards education as her lifelong passion. As a first-generation college graduate and the daughter of immigrant parents, she is deeply motivated to support her students’ success. This personal background influences her teaching philosophy, as she employs collaborative methods and provides hands-on learning experiences. For example, she uses tangible materials during math lessons and equips her students with “detective glasses” for reading exercises that help them identify crucial words in texts.
Understanding that mistakes are part of the learning process, Aguilera encourages her students to embrace errors as opportunities for growth. By sharing her own experiences of mistakes and the lessons learned from them, she fosters an environment where students feel safe to take risks and learn from their challenges.
Additionally, Aguilera has been instrumental in initiating Centralia Elementary’s first “Leadership Day,” an event where students take the lead in community tours to showcase their projects and educational achievements. This initiative not only empowers her students but also strengthens the connection between the school and the wider community.
Aguilera’s husband, Benjamin Li, expressed how her profound connection with her students sets her apart as an educator. He noted that Aguilera serves as an essential support system, acting as an extension of her students’ families and working tirelessly to inspire them each day.
Joining Aguilera as a 2023 Orange County Teacher of the Year are five additional educators: Darcy Blake from Ladera Vista Junior High School, Erin Bro from San Clemente High School, Tracy Havens from Hicks Canyon Elementary School, Megan Lee from Loara Elementary School, and Catherine Reinhardt-Zacair from Fullerton College. These teachers will represent Orange County at the state level and potentially compete nationally in 2026.
This recognition of exceptional educators like Jeannette Aguilera serves not only to celebrate their individual achievements but also to highlight the crucial role teachers play in shaping the future of their students and communities.
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Additional Resources
- Orange County Register: Six Orange County Educators Surprised as Teacher of the Year
- Chapelboro: Jose Hidalgo Named Orange County Schools Teacher of the Year
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- Wikipedia: Teacher of the Year
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
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