As the San Diego Unified School District’s 2023-24 academic year winds toward its close Thursday, June 6, its five public campuses in La Jolla granted their Teacher of the Year awards this month.
The Teachers of the Year were selected after being nominated and voted on by certificated peers at their schools.
The La Jolla Cluster Association, which includes teachers, s and parents at each of the five local San Diego Unified campuses, helped provide gifts for the top teachers.
“We met all these teachers and all of them are so amazing, so we celebrated that and ed them,” said association Chairwoman Megan DeMott.
The five winners are:
Kelley Bailey, La Jolla High School
“Kelley Bailey is such an incredible teacher. Our community is so lucky to have such an amazing math teacher who cares deeply about her students and developing their love for mathematics,” La Jolla High Principal Chuck Podhorsky said.
“I am absolutely thrilled that I received this award,” Bailey said. “I am overwhelmed by the from my fellow teachers, s and other colleagues. I appreciate all the wonderful staff and students at this school. They truly make it an incredible place to work. … I love my job and I try to make my classroom a positive learning environment for all my students.”
In a statement provided by Podhorsky, one of those students said Bailey “is willing to let us come in anytime and she will explain things to us in a way that makes sense. I also like her math videos. She is a great teacher and I want to thank her for helping me so much.”
Lori Trombley, Muirlands Middle School
Trombley, a science teacher, hosts several clubs for students and has received praise from parents, students and staff on Muirland Middle School’s “Staff Shout Outs” forum.
Trombley could not be reached for comment for this story, but in a 2021 interview with the La Jolla Light, she said that in her college science classes, she “loved the hands-on opportunities to learn the content. I realized that being a teacher would be a great way to be able to enjoy those science opportunities still and share them with others.”
Trombley said “it’s important for girls to see female role models in science positions. It just makes it seem normal, as opposed to when I was younger and felt like I had to say I didn’t like science, because not a lot of girls did. I also try and make sure that if any kid expresses an interest in science that I encourage that as much as possible. You can see when a topic you are covering inspires a kid, and it’s nice to just run with that and keep that spark alive.”
Kimberly Williams, Bird Rock Elementary School
Williams, a third-grade teacher, said she is “so appreciative toward my colleagues. We all worked so hard this year. I am grateful for everyone’s role.”
“The trust that is built over the years plays such a role in this nomination process, and I think every year, we all take turns taking on additional work and roles on campus,” she said. “I am on the instructional leadership team, and we separately get together and look at the pockets of success on campus. We look at areas we would like to emphasize and adjust so our students are propelled toward success.”
Williams is “not only a stellar third-grade teacher but also a friend to all,” said her colleague Melissa King, a fifth-grade teacher at Bird Rock Elementary. “Her calm demeanor and her willingness to offer advice makes people seek her out when advice is needed. Personally, I think she is hysterical. I know her students and the community love her professionalism as well as her wit, just like I do.”
Principal Eric Banatao shares the iration for Williams’ work in the classroom and beyond.
“Her longevity at Bird Rock has spanned generations,” he said. “She’s been an influential figure at Bird Rock Elementary School and is loved by colleagues, parents and students alike.”
Sarahbeth Wintringer, Torrey Pines Elementary School
“Sarahbeth is a ionate, dedicated and hard-working teacher who cares deeply about her students, as well as the school community,” Torrey Pines Elementary Principal Keith Keiper said of Wintringer, a kindergarten teacher. “Her positive energy and enthusiasm for her students is infectious. She is a teacher leader on our campus and is always willing to her colleagues.
“She creates a positive and proactive classroom culture focused on building empathy and kindness. Sarahbeth recognizes that to truly educate students, one must address the needs of the whole child.”
“All I can say is that it is truly an honor to be chosen for this award,” Wintringer said. “My colleagues are some of the best teachers I have worked with, and I am lucky to work on such a great kindergarten team.
“TPES is an awesome place to work and to attend. I know this because all three of my own kids and my husband went to school here. Just feeling very appreciative and blessed to be a part of such a wonderful school community!”
Kelly Wiskus, La Jolla Elementary School
“To be nominated as Teacher of the Year is one of the highest honors in our profession,” said Wiskus, a PE teacher. “While as educators, we are all in our own classrooms, it is the collective effort of all staff that make a difference in the lives of our students. Many of our staff , students and families reached out to me personally with their sincere congratulatory remarks, noting my contributions to be a tremendous asset to the positive culture and climate of our school, which made me very proud of my work over the past 16 years at our site.”
“Walking up to the La Jolla Elementary School playground, one can hear the kind, encouraging voice of Coach Wiskus as she engages her students in their warm-up routine or their physical education lesson for the day,” La Jolla Elementary Principal Stephanie Hasselbrink wrote in a letter to the Teacher of the Year selection committee.
“She masterfully blends her knowledge and her ive, caring nature to create dynamic, fun, meaningful lessons for her UTK [universal transitional kindergarten] through fifth grade general education and special-education students. Observing her class, one can hear the giggles of children, their sportsmanship as they cheer on their classmates and their excitement for whatever they’re engaged in. Simply put, Coach Wiskus creates an incredible environment for her students in which their physical, social and emotional health are nurtured.” ◆
