San Diego County Teacher Named California Teacher Of The Year

ENCINITAS, CA — A San Diego County elementary school teacher has been named one of California's five Teachers of the Year for 2027 and selected to represent the state in a national competition, education officials announced.

Katie Andan, a fifth-grade teacher at La Costa Heights Elementary School in the Encinitas Union School District, was selected for the statewide honor by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.

Andan was also nominated as California's representative for the 2027 National Teacher of the Year competition. She will compete against nominees from other states, with the national winner expected to be announced in the spring.

Two other San Diego County educators were among four finalists for the statewide award: Mark Jeffers, an English teacher at Mount Miguel Early College High School in the Grossmont Union High School District, and Stacy Williams, a special education teacher in the San Diego Unified School District.

"California's Teachers of the Year represent the very best of our profession," Thurmond said. "They see the potential in every student and work each day to ensure all students have the opportunity to succeed."

The other California Teachers of the Year are Gagik Galfayan of Glendale, Edmund Maino of Tehachapi, Wendy Saldivar of Anaheim, and Ashley Uraine of Yucaipa.

The five honorees will serve as ambassadors for the teaching profession throughout 2027.

The California Teachers of the Year program has recognized outstanding educators since 1972. Winners are selected based on their teaching techniques, classroom environments, presentation skills, rapport with students and interviews.