A middle school teacher from the Garden Grove Unified School District has been named a 2025 California Teacher of the Year finalist.
In May, Jordanna Jahn of Irvine Intermediate School in Garden Grove was honored as one of six Orange County Teachers of the Year. On Tuesday, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond also recognized the English and world history teacher among a select group of finalists for the state’s premiere teaching award.
“I am humbled to be selected as a finalist for the California Teacher of the Year program,” Jahn said. “It’s truly been an honor to represent Garden Grove Unified School District throughout this process.”
The news came as Thurmond formally announced this year’s five California Teachers of the Year for 2025.
Top honors went to Matthew Winheim from Space Aeronautics Gateway to Exploration Magnet Academy in the Palmdale Unified School District; Kristen LoPrell from Grossmont High School in the Grossmont Union High School District; Robert Mauger of Corona High School in the Corona-Norco Unified School District; Nicholas Westfall of Alexander Hamilton Senior High School in the Los Angeles Unified School District; and Arby Jean Wolkov from William Howard Taft Charter High School, also in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
“These remarkable teachers have a lasting impact on their students, equipping them with the skills needed for success,” Thurmond said. “They serve as an inspiration and exemplify the exceptional work happening in California schools.”
A sense of community
As we shared in her county Teacher of the Year profile, Jahn stands out for her exceptional dedication to fostering a supportive and engaging classroom environment. With more than 27 years of experience, she approaches each lesson with compassion and encouragement, striving to create a sense of community where her seventh-grade students feel seen, heard and valued.
“As a teacher, I feel passionate about the work we are doing in the district,” she said. “I believe that building a strong classroom community through relationships is an essential component of our daily instruction and is fundamental to making a difference in our student’s lives.”
Beyond her role teaching English and world history, Jahn advises the drama club and supports Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports initiatives. She has also coordinated the Scholars in Training program, offering crucial support to students who face academic challenges or need extra encouragement.
“We applaud Jordanna on earning this prestigious recognition as one of the best educators in California,” Garden Grove school board president Teri Rocco said Tuesday. “This well-deserved recognition is a testament to the dedication she gives each and every day to motivate and support her students, equipping them with both the academic and personal skills for lifelong success.”
Outside the classroom, Jahn promotes community engagement through a student-led campus recycling program and an annual schoolwide sock drive for people experiencing homelessness. Through these efforts, she helps students develop a sense of civic responsibility while addressing community needs.
Other state finalists
The other finalists for California Teacher of the Year are Jesse Braun from Beverly Vista Middle School in the Beverly Hills Unified School District; Courtney Franz of Holly Avenue Elementary School in the Arcadia Unified School District; Mackenzie Levine of Perry Elementary School in the San Diego Unified School District; Erica Lundy of Welby Way Charter Elementary and Gifted-High Ability School in the Los Angeles Unified School District; and Susan Wilkinson from Marindale School, which is part of the Marin County Office of Education.
Presented by the California Department of Education and supported by the California Teachers of the Year Foundation, the state Teachers of the Year Program began in 1972 to honor exceptional educators and inspire future generations to join the teaching profession.
The program boasts a rigorous selection process, with county offices of education nominating standout teachers. The CDE then reviews applications, evaluates teaching techniques and classroom environments, and conducts interviews to determine the finalists before selecting the state’s top educators.
Between 2019 and 2022, Orange County had five California Teachers of the Year.
For more information on the program, visit the CDE’s California Teachers of the Year webpage. To learn more about becoming a teacher, visit the Teach California website.