Quick look: The 2026 Teachers of the Year gala celebrated 62 outstanding educators at the Disneyland Hotel. Hosted by OCDE and sponsored by SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, the event honored six finalists as 2026 Orange County Teachers of the Year and highlighted the theme “Lighting the Way” through performances and video tributes.
It was a night of cheers, music and heartfelt tributes as more than 60 of Orange County’s finest educators were celebrated Friday night for their extraordinary impact on students and school communities.
Hosted by the Orange County Department of Education and sponsored by SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, the 2026 Teachers of the Year gala transformed the Disneyland Hotel’s Grand Ballroom into a stage of gratitude and glitz, honoring exceptional teachers selected earlier this year.
The formal event embraced the theme “Lighting the Way” and featured a live “Hamilton” medley by Brea Olinda High School’s Masquerade show choir, emotional video spotlights and a visit from local residents Mickey and Minnie Mouse.
“Orange County teachers are tasked with the vital responsibility of guiding and nurturing our students through the most formative times of their lives,” said Dr. Stefan Bean, county superintendent of schools. “This year’s theme, ‘Lighting the Way,’ perfectly depicts what these educators do each day — illuminating paths to success that reflect each student’s unique passions.”
Following opening remarks from Dr. Bean, actor William Allen Young and PBS SoCal producer Maria Hall-Brown emceed the program, introducing this year’s 62 honorees and six finalists who were announced during surprise visits to their schools in April.
Nominees and semifinalists took the stage one by one to greet Dr. Bean as a pre-recorded audio clip shared their poignant — and sometimes humorous — reflections on working with students.
Finalists were further recognized with custom video tributes produced by OCDE’s Media Services team, offering glimpses into the classrooms and communities where they’ve made lasting differences.
The 2026 Orange County Teachers of the Year finalists are:
- Tracy Havens, Hicks Canyon Elementary School, Tustin Unified School District
- Dr. Catherine Reinhardt-Zacair, Fullerton College, North Orange County Community College District
- Megan Lee, Loara Elementary School, Anaheim Elementary School District
- Jeannette Aguilera, Centralia Elementary School, Centralia Elementary School District
- Darcy Blake, Ladera Vista Junior High School of the Arts, Fullerton School District
- Erin Bro, San Clemente High School, Capistrano Unified School District
The road to recognition
The 60-plus nominees at the gala were district-level teachers of the year representing schools and programs across Orange County. Each public school district, regional occupational program and community college district was invited to submit top educators to the county competition, along with one private school and one charter school nominee.
From this pool, semifinalists and finalists were selected through a rigorous review and interview process conducted by panels of educators and community leaders.
On Friday, each finalist received a $25,000 award from the Orange County Teachers of the Year Award Foundation, established by William, Jeff and Jennifer Gross. In addition, 10 semifinalists were awarded $7,500, and the remaining honorees each received $5,000 for their contributions to education.
Since its inception, the Gross family has donated more than $5.5 million to recognize and support over 1,900 educators in Orange County.
Making the night possible
SchoolsFirst, the premier sponsor of the gala and a long-standing partner of the program, also played a key role in making the celebration possible. Bill Cheney, chief executive officer of SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, shared his congratulations ahead of the event.
“This tremendous honor highlights your commitment to cultivating a supportive learning environment where students can flourish,” Cheney said. “Your passion and dedication make a lasting difference in the lives of your students and our community.”
As the evening drew to a close, Mickey and Minnie Mouse joined the celebration, bringing cheers from the crowd and one last round of applause for the teachers as they gathered on stage together.
To learn more about the Orange County Teachers of the Year program, visit ocde.us/toty.
[Update: Watch video tributes honoring each of the 2026 Orange County Teacher of the Year finalists, produced by OCDE’s Media Services team.]