An educator of 15 years from the Saddleback Valley Unified School District returned to Southern California to be interviewed live on KTLA 5’s morning show, a prominent news station in Los Angeles, after her trip to the White House.
Alondria Diaz is a third-grade general education and dual immersion teacher at Ralph A. Gates Dual Language Immersion Magnet Elementary in Lake Forest. Of California’s 319,000 public school teachers, Diaz was one of five who were named 2022 California Teachers of the Year. Another Orange County teacher to make it to that round was Sovantevy “Sovey” Long-Latteri, a special education teacher at La Sierra High School in the Fullerton Joint Union High School District.
“In what may be the toughest ever time for California families, students and educators, these five innovative and caring teachers have made profound differences in the lives of their students and communities,” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond said. “I’m proud that these educators are receiving this prestigious honor for their continued effort to connect with students even during unimaginable circumstances, to address their needs, and support them in any way they can.”
Diaz was surprised with another round of good news when she was announced as California’s representative for the National Teacher of the Year program, which meant she went on to compete against nominees from other states.
In celebration of National Teacher Appreciation Week, which falls on May 2 to May 6, KTLA 5 asked Diaz about her experience of going to the White House and her feelings about her fellow educators in Orange County.
This segment aired on May 3.
And here are some of the news items we’ve been tracking this week:
- Four of the nine school employees chosen by State Superintendent as 2022’s most exemplary classified school employees are from Orange County campuses and districts.
- More than 350 pieces of artwork created by local artists with disabilities will be on display at MainPlace Mall through May 9. Hosted by OCDE in partnership with VSA Orange County, the 46th annual VSA Festival spotlights artists, showcasing writing, dance, music, theater and visual art.
- About 20 Orange County teenagers completed a cybersecurity training academy created by a collaboration between the OCDE-led OC Pathways Initiative and CyberForward. Six students interviewed and received paid internship positions after they finished the program.
- Children are spending more time with digital devices, and they’re starting earlier than before. Experts share tips on how families can find a balance that works for them.
- OCDE and eight Orange County school districts will be recruiting and interviewing candidates at the 2022 Spring Career Fair on Saturday, May 7. Open positions include classroom teachers, speech and language professionals, custodial/operational support, accounting positions, information technology specialists and more.
- College-bound high school seniors have made their decisions about where they’re going. Now they have to deal with the hard reality of being able to afford their first choice.
- A Superior Court judge granted a temporary restraining order that prohibits Orange County Board of Education trustee Tim Shaw from “serving or acting in any manner as a member” on the board as he seeks re-election this June, the OC Register reported.
- The Los Angeles Unified School District will pay for high speed internet in every student household for a year. The district also committed to purchasing 100,000 additional laptops and tablets.
- Child care is unaffordable in every state. As Ed Source reported, Californians roughly spend $17,000 annually to pay for child care.
- And finally, in the spirit of Teacher Appreciation Week, NBC4 Los Angeles’ California Live show visited Sovantevy “Sovey” Long-Latteri’s class at La Sierra High School in the Fullerton Joint Union High School District. The adult transition class educator believes every student is capable of learning if they are supported.
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