Three Los Angeles County educators were named Tuesday among the five 2025 California Teachers of the Year.
“These remarkable teachers have a lasting impact on their students, equipping them with the skills needed for success,” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond said in a statement. “They serve as an inspiration and exemplify the exceptional work happening in California schools.”
The 2025 California Teachers of the Year from LA County are:
— Matthew Winheim, a middle school STEM aviation and mathematics teacher at Space Aeronautics Gateway to Exploration Magnet Academy in the Palmdale Unified School District
— Nicholas Westfall, a high school physical education teacher at Alexander Hamilton Senior High School in the Los Angeles Unified School District
— Arby Jean Wolkov, a high school American sign language teacher at William Howard Taft Charter High School in the Los Angeles Unified School District
Thurmond nominated Winheim as California’s representative for the National Teacher of the Year competition. Winheim will compete against other state nominees, and the 2025 National Teacher of the Year will be announced in the spring.
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Also named as 2025 California Teachers of the Year were:
— Kristen LoPrell, a high school mathematics and AP calculus teacher at Grossmont High School in the Grossmont Union High School District in San Diego County; and
— Robert Mauger, a high school career and technical education transportation automotive teacher at Corona High School in the Corona-Norco Unified School District in Riverside County.
The Teachers of the Year Program began in 1972 to honor outstanding educators and encourage others to enter the profession.