Elementary school teacher Alondra Diaz of Lake Forest, California, has been named California’s 2022 State Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: Twitter.

Congratulations are due to elementary teacher Alondra Diaz. She has been named the 2022 California State Teacher of the Year!

Alondra teaches third grade in the dual language immersion program at Ralph A. Gates Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Magnet Elementary School in Lake Forest, California. She has worked there since 2017. Previously she taught dual language Spanish and English to elementary and middle schoolers at the Orange County Educational Arts Academy for ten years. In all, her career as an educator has spanned 14 years. No matter where she works, Alondra is a passionate advocate for language acquisition for all students.

The honored educator was raised in Santa Ana, a predominantly Latino suburb of Los Angeles. As a bilingual student, Alondra says she learned first-hand the power of education. Homelessness and other childhood traumas posed obstacles, but school was always a stabilizing influence for her. “Fortunately, I had amazing teachers who inspired me along the way and believed in me, even when I didn’t,” she says.

Now that she is in the classroom, Alondra declares she is committed to empowering students and their community. As a teacher leader, she provides support to aspiring and new teachers in her role as lead mentor teacher.

Before her selection as California’s Teacher of the Year, Alondra was named one of six Orange County Teachers of the Year. She has garnered other accolades as well. She earned the 2020 Woman of the Year award in the category of Community and Education presented by the National Hispanic Women’s Business Association. Additionally, she is a member of the California Department of Education’s Superintendent Teacher Advisory Council.

Alondra earned her Bachelor’s degree in Peace Studies with an emphasis in Spanish language, and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, both from Chapman University.