California Credit Union, in partnership with Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), recently honored 18 LAUSD teachers through its annual Rookie of the Year program. California Credit Union, which has served the education community with premier financial services for more than eight decades, created the Rookie of the Year program in 2015 to recognize first year teachers within the greater Los Angeles community.
The 2018 Rookie of the Year teachers were selected based on key characteristics, including effectiveness in preparing and delivering instruction, providing a positive classroom climate with strong routines and procedures, adopting a dynamic and engaging teaching style, and showing high levels of professionalism.
“We are proud to honor each of the 2018 LAUSD Rookies of the Year for their outstanding commitment to finding creative ways to engage and educate their students,” said California Credit Union CEO Steve O’Connell. “There’s no question that teachers have a life-changing impact on their students, and we have the greatest respect for the commitment and passion of these new educators. We want to thank each of these new teachers, and congratulate them on a wonderful start to their career.”
Representing elementary, middle and high schools throughout the greater Los Angeles area, the LAUSD 2018 Rookies of the Year are:
| Winner | School | City |
| Evelyn Amez | New Open World Academy | Los Angeles |
| Lauren Cantu | San Gabriel Elementary School | South Gate |
| Monica Flores | Camellia Elementary School | North Hollywood |
| Gina Gray | Dymally High School | Los Angeles |
| Ramon Jacinto | San Fernando Middle School, | San Fernando |
| Sara Kert | Delevan Drive Elementary School | Los Angeles |
| Christopher Liberatori | Paul Revere Middle School | Los Angeles |
| Samantha Masti | Dominguez Elementary School | Carson |
| Brooke Moral | Roy Romer Middle School | North Hollywood |
| Yolanda Murillo | Wisdom Elementary School | Los Angeles |
| Osvaldo Noriega | Legacy VAPA High School | South Gate |
| Kristofer Ornelas | Grover Cleveland Charter High School | Reseda |
| Amelia Peck | Valley Alternative Magnet Span School | Lake Balboa |
| Gabriela Rincon | Maywood Center for Enriched Studies Magnet | Maywood |
| Marc Sahara | Los Angeles High School | Los Angeles |
| Charles Taylor | Burbank Middle School | Los Angeles |
| Arian White | Baldwin Hills Gifted/High Ability Magnet | Los Angeles |
| Dorothy Wms-Kohlmeyer | Patrick Henry VPA Magnet Middle School | Granada Hills |
LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner said, “Our Rookies of the Year have selected an honorable profession that gives young people the strength and courage to learn and embrace lifelong learning. I hope our amazing honorees will be with the District for many years to come.”
On August 5th, California Credit Union hosted this year’s 18 winners during a private ceremony at the Staples Center Rooftop Terrace attended by LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner, local district representatives, school principals and guests. The Rookies of the Year were then recognized on-court during the Los Angeles Sparks basketball pre-game activities.
California Credit Union created the Rookie of the Year program in partnership with LAUSD to acknowledge first-year teachers who have shown exemplary commitment to education. Teachers are nominated by school administrators, and winners are selected by a LAUSD committee and a credit union representative. Since the program began in 2015, California Credit Union has recognized 77 LAUSD teachers as a Rookie of the Year.
California Credit Union and Los Angeles Unified School District celebrate “Rookie Teacher of the Year” Award winners on court during a Los Angeles Sparks basketball game at the Staples Center on August 5, 2018.