Five local educators representing schools in Del Mar, National City, Poway, San Ysidro, and Chula Vista have been named San Diego County Teachers of the Year. Among the winners was an Allied Gardens resident.

The honorees were announced at a reception Sept. 9 as part of the 32nd annual “Cox Presents: Salute to Teachers,” brought to you by San Diego County Credit Union in partnership with the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE).

The 2022-23 San Diego County Teachers of the Year includes Melissa Rains (pictured above). The Allied Gardens resident teaches at Castle Park Middle School in the Sweetwater Union High School District.

Rains, who is an eighth-grade science teacher, greets her students with a daily “Question of the Day” designed to gauge how they are feeling coming into class. The answers guide the first topic of conversation when class begins, and the group segues into a “mindful moment” before the science lesson of the day. Rains believes that her connection with her students is the foundation from which they can explore and appreciate science.

“One step into Melissa’s classroom and you can feel the trust among the students and the mutual respect that they share with their teacher,” said Luis Lopez, equity and culture curriculum TOSA, Sweetwater Union High School District. “Melissa has mastered the art of being a ‘warm demander,’ the delicate balance of setting high expectations and the support in place for all students to achieve their highest potential. She has cultivated a culture and climate in her classroom that is exemplary of what all of us in education would like to see happening across the nation.”

As Dr. Paul Gothold, San Diego County superintendent of schools noted, “Teaching has always been a challenging yet rewarding profession. These last few years have really tested us and through it all, teachers across the country have continued to persevere and make sure that our students are cared for and have all the support they need to succeed. The teachers we are celebrating here tonight are innovative in what they do and passionate about the students they serve. It’s an honor to be recognizing these amazing educators and individuals.”

The five Teachers of the Year will represent San Diego County in the California Teacher of the Year program. The state winners will be announced in October.

Candidates for 2022-23 County Teachers of the Year were chosen from among 40 teachers nominated by their school districts for their commitment to students, teaching, and lifelong learning.