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CUSD celebrates top teachers - CUSD Insider
Dr. Bob Presby, Associate Superintendent, Human Resource Services, right, welcomes everyone to CUSD’s 2023 Teacher of The Year Ceremony at San Juan Hills High School. Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider

CUSD celebrates top teachers

By Greg Mellen

It was an evening of applause, hugs, flowers, and some moments of amazing poignancy as the Capistrano Unified School District celebrated its own at the 2023 Teacher of the Year Celebration in the auditorium at San Juan Hills High.

Referred to as the EGOT — Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony — celebration of the year for CUSD, the district honored 59 individual school teachers and education professionals.

The evening culminated in the celebration of the district-wide Elementary, Middle School, and High School Teachers of the Year, who advance to the Orange County Teacher of the Year competition.

Traci Conner receives the Adult Transition Program 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider

Leslie Whitaker of Esencia K-8 School, Yesenia Hogancamp of Carl Hankey K-8 School, and Fernanda Villalba of San Juan Hills High were the elementary, middle school, and high school winners, respectively.

Each had a video presentation played from the surprise announcements of their awards at their schools, with comments from fellow teachers, administrators and students.

Leslie Whitaker

Principal Greg Hauser of Esencia said Whitaker, a third-grade teacher, was key from the beginning in helping him integrate into the school as a first-year principal.

“Since then she’s only improved my opinion of her,” he said.

Whitaker, whose classroom door is almost always open, took little notice when students began remarking about the large group assembled outside her room.

“I told them it was just people walking through school,” she recalled of the day she received the surprise visit. It was only when she saw the banner and flowers that Whitaker realized what was happening.

Leslie Whitaker of Esencia Elementary accepts flowers from Esencia School Principal Greg Hauser as she receives the 2023 Capistrano Unified School District Elementary School Teacher of the Year award.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Leslie Whitaker of Esencia Elementary receives the 2023 Capistrano Unified School District Elementary School Teacher of the Year award.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider

Yesenia Hogancamp

Hogancamp was a student English Learner in CUSD, and now teaches as a Spanish English Language Development (ELD) teacher for sixth through eighth grades.

“Language opens all doors in the present and the future,” she said.

While Hogankamp was surprised, her daughter Samantha was not. In a message to her mom, Samantha said, “I’ve always thought of you as the teacher of the year every year.”

Yesenia Hogancamp of Carl Hankey Middle School gets a hug from Hankey School Principal Dana Aguilera, right, as Hogancamp receives the 2023 Capistrano Unified School District Middle School Teacher of the Year award.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Yesenia Hogancamp of Carl Hankey Middle School receives the 2023 Capistrano Unified School District Middle School Teacher of the Year award.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Yesenia Hogancamp of Carl Hankey Middle School, left, receives the 2023 Capistrano Unified School District Middle School Teacher of the Year award from Hankey School Principal Dana Aguilera.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider

Fernanda Villalba

Villalba, a former CUSD student as well, has been a key faculty member at San Juan Hills High since its creation in 2007.

“She made the school better for everyone and she made me a better principal,” said Jennifer Smalley, a principal at San Juan Hills until her recent promotion to Assistant Superintendent.

Looking back on her 23-year tenure, Villalba said, “Many of my students became teachers and are now my colleagues and their kids are now my students.”

During the presentations of the individual school awards, the honorees accepted their awards on stage while brief narratives they had written about themselves were read. More than 50 of the 59 honorees assembled on stage for individual recognition, while nearly 500 friends, family members, and supporters filled the auditorium to near-capacity.

The winners ranged in experience from four to nearly 40 years. Their comments and recollections ranged from comic interactions with students to touching commentaries about former students returning to thank them for what they meant in their  lives.

And then there was Shannon Halbert, who teaches at Union High School and its Alternative To Suspension program. Halbert said in the past year one of her children died in a plane crash. When Halbert returned to school, she recalls a student approaching her to say “you’ve always been there for us, now it’s time for us to be there for you.”

Dr. Bob Presby, Associate Superintendent, Human Resource Services, said in his opening remarks that the celebration served as a reminder that much more goes into teaching than just reading, writing, and arithmetic. That teachers are experts in the art and science of learning. That students are more than just test grades. And that schools are safe places of encouragement for children.

Fernanda Villalba of San Juan Hills High School receives the 2023 Capistrano Unified School District High School Teacher of the Year award.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider

Here are the honorees:

Elementary School

Whitney Trejo, Harold Ambuehl Elementary

Sue Paschall, Arroyo Vista K-8

Samantha Yahr, Bathgate Elementary

Dorothy Farrell, Truman Benedict Elementary

Annie Chi, Marian Bergeson Elementary

Pam Taylor. Canyon Vista Elementary

Macey Salazar, Castille Elementary

Trace Wilcox, Chaparral Elementary

Kristen Bisch, Concordia Elementary

Maria Arbelo, R.H. Dana Elementary

Kaylie Gustafson, R.H. Dana ENF

Heather Hockersmith, Del Obispo Elementary

Erica Camarena, Don Juan Avila Elementary

Leslie Whitaker, Esencia K-8

Carol Slade, George White Elementary

Angela Cantacessi, Carl Hankey Elementary

Jennifer Hatfield, Hidden Hills Elementary

Monika O’Kane, Kinoshita Elementary

Jennifer Kovaleski, Ladera Ranch Elementary

Anna Erwin, Laguna Niguel Elementary

Frances Mackay, Las Flores Elementary

Barrie Fitzgerald, Clarence Lobo Elementary

Dina Darsow, John S Malcom Elementary

Dr. Sarah Fontanes, Marblehead Elementary

Laurie Hansch, Moulton Elementary

William Cox, Elementary School Music

Sherrie Embry, Oak Grove Elementary

April Micklin, Oso Grande Elementary

Bryn Stamos, Palisades Elementary

Daniella Nieto, Philip Reilly Elementary

Isela Diaz, San Juan Elementary

Terrence Snodgrass, Tijeras Elementary

Theresa Chaverot-Campos, Viejo Elementary

Anne Faris, Vista del Mar K-8

Carol Tsai, Wagon Wheel Elementary

Quinn Bishop, Wood Canyon Elementary

Middle School

Sara Campbell, Aliso Viejo Middle

Matthew Engelken, Arroyo Vista K-8

Bridget Burke, Bernice Ayer Middle

Matt McKoy, Don Juan Avila Middle

Christine Abuharoon, Esencia Middle

Yesenia Hogancamp, Carl Hankey K-8

Rose Antonatos, Ladera Ranch Middle

Shelley McClusker, Las Flore Middle

Michele Barnaby, Marco Forster Middle

Brianna Vanderwal, Fred Newhart Middle

Marcy Hamilton, Niguel Hills Middle

Jenny Goit, Shorecliffs Middle

Jenny Contant, Vista del Mar K-8

High School

Carol Harlan, Aliso Niguel High

Heather Cintas, Capistrano Valley High

Nicole Lovett, Dana Hills High

Marc Popovich, San Clemente High

Fernanda Villalba, San Juan Hills High

Rick Brail, Tesoro High

Amber Mills, Cal Prep Academy/Capo Virtual

Shannon Halbert, Union High

Traci Conner, Adult Transition

With honored teachers all on stage, Capistrano Unified School District Chief Communications Officer, Ryan Burris, right, closes the CUSD’s 2023 Teacher of The Year Ceremony at San Juan Hills High.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Quinn Bishop receives the Wood Canyon Elementary 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Jenny Contant receives the Vista del Mar Middle School 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Theresa Chaverot receives the Viejo Elementary 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Shannon Halbert receives the Union High School ATS 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Terrence Snodgrass receives the Tijeras Creek Elementary 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Kaylie Gustafson receives the R.H. Dana ENF Elementary 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Daniella Nieto receives the Philip Reilly Elementary 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Rick Brail receives the Tesoro High School 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Jenny Goit receives the Shorecliffs Middle School 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Isela Diaz receives the San Juan Elementary 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Marc Popovich receives the San Clemente High School 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Maria Arbello receives the R. H. Dana Elementary 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Bryn Stamos receives the Palisades Elementary 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
April Micklin receives the Os Grande Elementary 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Sherrie Embry receives the Oak Grove Elementary 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Marcy Hamilton receives the Nigel Hills Middle School 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Brianna Vanderwal receives the Fred Newhart Middle School 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Barrie Fitzgerald receives the Clarence Lobo Elementary 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Dina Darsow receives the John S. Malcom Elementary 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Michele Barnaby receives the Marco Forster Middle School 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Dr. Sarah Fontanes receives the Marblehead Elementary 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Laurie Hansch receives the Moulton Elementary 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
William Cox receives the Elementary Block Music 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Juliana Carter receives the Las Palmas Elementary 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Shelly McCusker receives the Las Flores Middle School 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Frances Mackay receives the Las Flores Elementary 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Anna Erwin receives the Laguna Nigel Elementary 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Jennifer Kovaleski receives the Ladera Ranch Elementary 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
San Juan Hills High School Vocalists Gabriella Zuniga sings with teachers behind her during an entertainment break during CUSD’s 2023 Teacher of The Year Ceremony at San Juan Hills High.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
San Juan Hills High School Vocalists Julia Tonai sings with the teachers behind her during an entertainment break during CUSD’s 2023 Teacher of The Year Ceremony at San Juan Hills High.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
San Juan Hills High School Vocalists Leah Cook sings during an entertainment break during CUSD’s 2023 Teacher of The Year Ceremony at San Juan Hills High.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Rose Antonatos receives the Ladera Ranch Middle School 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Monica O’Kane receives the Kinoshita Elementary 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Jennifer Hatfield receives the Hidden Hills Elementary 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Angela Cantacessi receives the Carl Hankey Elementary 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Kristen Bisch receives the Concordia Elementary 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Heather Hockersmith receives the Del Obispo Elementary 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Erica Camarena receives the Don Juan Avila Elementary 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Matt McCoy receives the Don Juan Avila Middle School 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Christine Abuharoon receives the Esencia Middle School 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Carol Slade receives the George White Elementary 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Trace Wilcox receives the Chaparral Elementary 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Heather Cintas receives the Capistrano Valley High School 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Macey Salazar receives the Castille Elementary School 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Amber Mills receives the Cal Prep Academy & Capo Virtual 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Bridget Burke receives the Bernice Ayer Middle School 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Annie Chi receives the Marian Bergeson Elementary 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Dody Farrell receives the Truman Benedict Elementary 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Matt Engelken receives the Arroyo Vista Middle School 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Sue Paschall receives the Arroyo Vista Elementary 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Whitney Trejo receives the Harold Ambuehl Elementary 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Whitney Trejo receives the Harold Ambuehl Elementary 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Sara Campbell receives the Aliso Viejo Middle School 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Carol Harlan receives the Aliso Nigel High School 2023 Teacher of the Year award from the Capistrano Unified School District.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider

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