Erin Bro named Orange County Teacher of the Year

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San Clemente AVID teacher Erin Bro is used to visitors coming into her classroom unannounced, mostly to observe her students and lessons. San Clemente became a National AVID Demonstration School last year for a reason, after all. On Thursday, May 1, the stream of surprise visitors was a little larger than usual and was there for a very special reason that brought her to tears. The surprise team from the Orange County Department of Education burst into her classroom during first period to announce that she had been named one of six Orange County Teachers of the Year for 2025.

*OCDE Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean was the first to congratulate Erin Bro on her OC Teacher of the Year award.*

Orange County Department of Education Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean led the contingent of well-wishers, along with San Clemente principal Dr. Brad Baker and several of Mrs. Bro’s colleagues. Her parents and husband were right behind, along with her sister who had her brother on FaceTime from his home in Michigan. CUSD trustees Lisa Davis, Lisa Zollinger and Judy Bullockus, superintendent Dr. Chris Brown and several administrators were also on hand to congratulate her on the amazing honor.

*CUSD Board of Trustees president Lisa Davis congratulates Erin Bro.*

*OCDE superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean, CUSD Trustees Judy Bullockus, Lisa Davis and Lisa Zollinger, along with Erin Bro.*

Mrs. Bro is joined by five other teachers from around Orange County with the annual awards. All six Teachers of the Year will be formally honored at a gala on Nov. 7 at the Disneyland Hotel, where each K-12 educator will receive a $25,000 award from the Orange County Teachers of the Year Award Foundation, established by the William, Jeff and Jennifer Gross Family Foundation.