Earlier this month, we had the privilege of honoring the 2022 District Teachers of the Year, an annual celebration of the accomplishments of a distinguished educator at each level. Karen Kauo, Marie Finman and Sergio Sanabria are now candidates for the Orange County Teacher of the Year awards that will be selected later this year. You can read more about each of the three honorees in the CUSD Insider articles linked below.
2022 Elementary School Teacher of the Year- Karen Kauo
2022 Middle School Teacher of the Year- Sergio Sanabria
2022 High School Teacher of the Year- Marie Finman
We also want to recognize and congratulate all of the District Teacher of the Year nominees, whose impact on their students and school communities make indelible impressions. Being honored by a school is a milestone achievement in the career of a teacher, who is most often focused on serving others. If you see these teachers on your campus, be sure to give them a shout out for their well-deserved recognition.
| School | Teacher |
| Adult Transition | Amanda Bacopulos |
| Aliso Niguel High School | Franco Arena |
| Aliso Viejo Middle School | Peter Hartman |
| Arroyo Vista Elementary School | Jerika Bright |
| Arroyo Vista Middle School | Valerie Dambach |
| Bathgate Elementary School | Michelle Kleindienst |
| Bernice Ayer Middle School | Tony Zerrer |
| Cal Prep Academy & Capo Virtual School | Elizabeth Rose |
| Canyon Vista Elementary School | Katie Pearson |
| Capistrano Valley High School | Brian Mulligan |
| Carl Hankey Elementary School | All Staff |
| Carl Hankey Middle School | Leslie Maher |
| Castille Elementary School | Karen Kauo |
| Chaparral Elementary School | Lisa Bartik |
| Clarence Lobo Elementary School | Laura Trudeau |
| Concordia Elementary School | Kendra Gerhard |
| Dana Hills High School | Becky Reid |
| Del Obispo Elementary School | Stephanie Ettinger |
| Don Juan Avila Elementary School | Erica Bisaccia |
| Don Juan Avila Middle School | Larissa Martus |
| Elementary School Music | Sharon Evans |
| Esencia Elementary School | Jen Austin |
| Esencia Middle School | Michelle Skidmore |
| Fred Newhart Middle School | Heather Carlsen |
| George White Elementary School | Giovana McFaul |
| Harold Ambuehl Elementary School | Lisa Roberts |
| Hidden Hills Elementary School | Jihan Nassar-Medhat |
| John S. Malcom Elementary School | Jan Mortenson |
| Kinoshita Elementary School | Gina Gearn |
| Ladera Ranch Elementary School | Kayla Evans |
| Ladera Ranch Middle School | Carrie Gray |
| Laguna Niguel Elementary School | Kathy Bennett |
| Las Flores Elementary School | Julie Blandino |
| Las Flores Middle School | Todd Theurer |
| Las Palmas Elementary School | Gayle Morrison-Lantz |
| Marblehead Elementary School | Jessica DeGennaro |
| Marco Forster Middle School | Sergio Sanabria |
| Marian Bergeson Elementary School | Uma Mainprize |
| Moulton Elementary School | Amy Zeppa |
| Niguel Hills Middle School | Shannon El-Sokkary |
| Oak Grove Elementary School | Jeffrey Xa |
| Oso Grande Elementary School | Angie Portnoff |
| Palisades Elementary School | Cathy Pearson |
| Philip Reilly Elementary School | Lisa Estrada |
| R. H. Dana Elementary School | Andrea Brannam |
| R. H. Dana ENF | Ainaria Johnson |
| San Clemente High School | Kristen Dimperio |
| San Juan Elementary School | Erlinda Felipe |
| San Juan Hills High School | Marie Finman |
| Shorecliffs Middle School | Sarah McKeon |
| Tesoro High School | Jaime Runyan |
| Tijeras Creek Elementary School | Christee McCarthy |
| Truman Benedict Elementary School | Keelie Ingraham |
| Union & Fresh Start | Cory Quinn |
| Viejo Elementary School | Lidia Fernald |
| Vista del Mar Elementary School | Terri Adams |
| Vista del Mar Middle School | Lisa Velez |
| Wagon Wheel Elementary School | Rachael Gildea |
| Wood Canyon Elementary School | Stacia Labounty |