OCDE names the 2025 Orange County Teachers of the Year with surprise visits

On Thursday morning, marching band musicians played a triumphant tune while the spirit squad cheered on Huntington Beach High School teacher Rosanna Harshman as she was announced as a 2025 Orange County Teacher of the Year.

Six local educators, including Harshman, received surprise visits from a big yellow school bus of OCDE representatives who congratulated them on becoming finalists in the countywide teachers of the year program.

Joined by camera crews, sponsors, members of the Gross Family Foundation and reporters, the team traveled to campuses from La Habra to Huntington Beach, honoring each teacher’s commitment to providing quality education for young learners. Joined by their colleagues, students and loved ones, the finalists accepted their awards with a range of emotions from complete shock to tear-filled eyes. 

They were selected following a formal review and multiple interviews conducted by a panel of educators and community members. Each educator received prizes from the program’s premier sponsor, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, and an apple-shaped award for their achievement.

On Nov. 1, the finalists will be formally honored at a dinner gala at the Disneyland Hotel, where they will receive cash awards of $25,000 from the Orange County Teachers of the Year Award Foundation, established by the William, Jeff and Jennifer Gross Family Foundation. 

Without further ado, here’s an introduction to the 2025 Orange County Teachers of the Year.

Cassandra Cabrera, Mendez Fundamental Intermediate School, Santa Ana Unified School District

Cassandra Cabrera is dedicated to increasing accessibility to STEM education for sixth-grade students at Mendez Fundamental Intermediate School. With 11 years of experience teaching science and engineering courses in the Career Technical Education program, she strives to inspire young learners with each new project they undertake. 

Driven to ignite early interest in STEM fields among her students, Cabrera obtained CTE certifications to instruct information and communication technology, manufacturing and product development, and engineering. Her efforts have encouraged students to explore their skills, increasing female enrollment in CTE pathways at Mendez Intermediate through initiatives like the Femineers Girls in Engineering club and Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day.

Cabrera also serves as the science department chair, leading curriculum development and providing opportunities for hands-on STEM education. By securing a grant to partner with NASA, she has brought aerospace experiences to scholars in the Santa Ana Unified School District.

She prioritizes creating a supportive learning environment where students feel comfortable taking risks and embracing failure as part of the learning process. 

“When students buy into the learning process, not only does it deepen their understanding of and connection to the curriculum but it also works towards creating a positive classroom culture where learning and growth is valued and enjoyed,” Cabrera said. 

By increasing engagement while pushing students beyond their perceived limits, she has helped her students earn recognition for their engineering designs at local competitions like the OC Fair’s Imaginology.

Keisha Cosand, Golden West College, Coast Community College District

Keisha Cosand has served Golden West College for nearly 25 years, where she has earned a reputation for positively impacting students’ academic growth.

Throughout the campus, Cosand is admired for her kind and passionate approach to teaching English composition, literature and creative writing.

As an English professor, Cosand focuses on aiding students in improving their writing skills and fostering critical thinking while encouraging students to approach literature with deeper analytical insight. She has committed her career to supporting the skills and ambitions of each new student enrolled in her courses.

“Seeing some of my students where college is really a struggle for them, put in effort to grow and learn, and try harder is what inspires me,” Cosand said.

Under her guidance, students not only enhance their writing abilities but also cultivate essential research skills that empower them to strengthen their work throughout the semester.

Before joining the Coast Community College District faculty in 1999, she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from California State University, Fresno. Her impact on student success earned her the Faculty Excellence Award in September 2023.

Rosanna Harshman, Huntington Beach High School, Huntington Beach Union High School District

Rosanna Harshman has taught environmental literature and college preparatory English to 12th-grade students for the past 13 years. Her commitment to student success extends beyond the classroom, encompassing various roles from classroom teacher to student support specialist, contributing to the development of English curriculum and district benchmark design.

Harshman’s leadership is characterized by her strong planning skills and student-centered perspective, making her a highly valued member of the Huntington Beach Union High School District. Her engaging lesson plans, expert content knowledge and genuine interest in her students’ academic growth have even inspired past students to pursue careers as English teachers themselves.

Amid the laughter and chatter from her students on any given day, Harshman creates a classroom environment rooted in trust. She adorns her walls with student artwork and photos, creating a welcoming space where students feel comfortable and eager to learn. 

​​”While not every day is perfect, once trust and belonging are established,” Harshman said, “I witness my students learning and thriving, helping us then fulfill our educational goals.” 

Her commitment to building community and cultivating passionate readers, writers and thinkers is evident in her approach to education. She plans real-world, project-based activities that extend learning beyond the bounds of the Huntington Beach High School campus. 

In addition to her teaching duties, Rosanna leads staff professional development and advises student clubs, while also creating curriculum and intervention resources that promote wellness and stronger relationships between staff and students. Her positive energy uplifts both staff and students, promoting a greater enthusiasm for education in others.

Jordanna Jahn, Irvine Intermediate School, Garden Grove Unified School District

Approaching each lesson with compassion and encouragement, Jordanna Jahn strives to develop a sense of community in her classroom where students feel seen, heard and acknowledged.

With 27 years of experience as an educator, Jahn works to empower her seventh-grade students to recognize their unique abilities and build confidence with each assignment. 

“I am actively engaged in making sure students feel safe and valued in the classroom,” Jahn said. “I work to ensure all students have the mental health support they need.” 

In addition to teaching English and world history at Irvine Intermediate School in the Garden Grove Unified School District, she contributes to a positive learning environment throughout the campus. Jahn aims to make school a relevant, engaging and meaningful experience for all through her involvement in various school programs, from advising the drama club to supporting Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports initiatives. 

As the coordinator of Irvine Intermediate’s Scholars in Training program, the longtime educator provides crucial support to students who may face academic challenges or need extra encouragement to succeed. 

Outside of the classroom, Jahn promotes community engagement through a campus recycling program led by her seventh-graders, as well as through an annual school-wide sock drive for people experiencing homelessness. Through these efforts, Jahn said students not only learn about the community’s needs but gain a sense of responsibility through volunteer work with local organizations.

Joseph King, Hope School, Anaheim Union High School District

Joseph King, a special educator at Hope School in the Anaheim Union High School District, has been transforming the lives of students in the adult transition program for more than eight years. He teaches practical skills like gardening, recycling, auto shop and vocational mobility, tailoring his approach for students with moderate to severe special needs.

Arriving early each day, King creates a welcoming atmosphere with personalized greetings, including special handshakes and nicknames. Social-emotional learning and communication skills are integral to his lessons, and because many of his students struggle to express their wants or needs, he is intentional about ensuring each learner feels seen and appreciated.

“Teaching starts the moment a student sees you,” he says, “and a smile is the first step to being an effective teacher.” 

In-class activities are highly individualized, incorporating the Universal Design for Learning framework to make abstract concepts come to life. To teach photosynthesis, he has students hold umbrellas while he uses a flashlight and blow dryer to simulate sunlight and heat. Students feel the elements on their face and then “catch” them in their umbrellas, creating a sensory learning experience that mimics leaf functions.

Beyond his classroom duties, Joseph serves as a school leadership team member, community schools teacher lead and activities director. He also runs the “Do Good, Give Hope” initiative, partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank to provide essential supplies to families in need while teaching his students about community service.

Colleagues describe King as the heart and soul of Hope School, known for his positivity, advocacy and for his signature greeting, “What’s up, Tigers!”

Kathryn “Katie” Mayfield, Arbolita Elementary School, La Habra City School District

Kathryn Mayfield brings joy and creativity to Arbolita Elementary School in the La Habra City School District, where she has been teaching kindergarten for the past three years.

With 15 years of teaching experience, Mayfield’s background as an education specialist for students with mild to moderate disabilities allows her to meet the academic, social and emotional needs of all her students.

Each morning, she starts her day with a fun question for her kindergarten students, using it not only for attendance but also as a quick check-in to get her students excited for the day ahead. 

Utilizing a systems-based approach and a focus on data, Mayfield works to give her students the support they need to thrive. Whether it’s creating a picture schedule to ease anxieties or providing intervention support, she plans each moment with care to eliminate any barriers to learning.

“An approach to teaching that provides all students with equal opportunities to succeed, regardless of their learning style, is at the core of my classroom,” Mayfield said. 

Beyond the classroom, she leads the multilingual support team at Arbolita and collaborates with school leadership to improve student outcomes. She believes in meeting students where they are, understanding their interests and identifying individual strengths to foster growth.

Through building relationships, establishing routines and creating a supportive classroom environment, Kathryn empowers her students to be brave and willing to try while celebrating their achievements.

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Ian Hanigan also contributed to this article.