Capistrano Unified recently surprised the districtwide 2020-2021 Teachers of the Year on their campuses.

Each year, just one teacher at each of CUSD’s 63 school sites to become a school Teacher of the Year. From those 63, three teachers are chosen to be honored with the district Teacher of the Year designation at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.

The three top Teachers of the Year go on as nominees for the county wide Teacher of the Year awards, chosen by the Orange County Department of Education. Those three winning teachers will go on to compete at the state level.

Photos and video from the CUSD 2021 Teachers of the Year surprise visits are linked below:

Elementary Teacher of the Year: Ann Berger, Esencia K8 School

Middle School Teacher of the Year: Margaret Dubel, Vista del Mar Middle School

High School Teacher of the Year: Marguerite Westling, San Clemente High School

The Capistrano Unified teachers are chosen by a panel that includes the Capistrano Unified Education Association, former Teachers of the Year, administrators from all levels, and Capistrano Unified School District staff members. The school Teachers of the Year must fill out an application, respond to four essay questions, and provide their resume and two letters of recommendation. The questions ask teachers to describe their community service activities, personal teaching philosophy, describe the major issues in public education and provide a possible resolution, and describe their greatest accomplishment in education.

The district would like to congratulate all the amazing teachers who received the Teacher of the Year award at their school sites!

*Bathgate Elementary did not recognize just one teacher this year, as they are all Teachers of the Year this year.

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