COVINA, CA – Joy Glaspy, Las Palmas Middle School math and special education teacher, has been named a 2026 Jostens Renaissance Educator of the Year, a prestigious national honor recognizing educators who make a lasting impact on their school’s culture and climate.

Glaspy is one of only four educators nationwide selected for this award, reflecting her unwavering commitment to creating a positive, inclusive school environment where every student is encouraged to grow and achieve.

“Receiving this recognition means that everything I’ve been doing throughout my career has made a difference for my students, families, and school community,” Glaspy said. “My favorite thing about being an educator is seeing my students learn, grow, and achieve through the years.”

Glaspy has dedicated 26 years to teaching at Las Palmas and has led the school’s Renaissance program for more than a decade. The program is designed to boost student achievement and morale by celebrating academic success, positive behavior, and strong character. Through incentives and recognition programs, students are motivated to set goals, work hard, and take pride in their accomplishments.

In addition to teaching math and special education courses, Glaspy teaches a Renaissance Leadership class that empowers students to take an active role in their school’s culture. Students in the class help organize Renaissance rallies, coordinate incentive programs, and recognize their peers through student-of-the-month celebrations.

Glaspy said her interest in teaching began when she was young. Inspired by her childhood experiences with a family member who had special needs, she developed a deep desire to help others and create opportunities for all students to succeed.

“Joy’s impact on our school culture is felt every single day,” Las Palmas principal Dr. Roy Umana said. “In her time at Las Palmas, she has built a campus environment where students feel seen, valued, and motivated to grow. She has created multiple systems to recognize students for positive changes in their academics and behavior. Joy doesn’t just believe in students – she builds the systems that prove it to them every day.”

Glaspy and her fellow 2026 Jostens Renaissance Educators of the Year will be honored at the annual Jostens Renaissance Global Conference in Florida this summer, where she and her team will also present on best practices and share strategies for building positive school cultures.

“Joy Glaspy is a standout educator who works every day to ensure students are seen, supported, and celebrated for their achievements,” Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Blackmore said. “Her dedication has helped shape a culture of encouragement and excellence at Las Palmas, and the entire Covina-Valley Unified community is proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition. Congratulations, Joy!”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

CVUSD_GLASPY1: Joy Glaspy, Las Palmas Middle School math and special education teacher, has been named a 2026 Jostens Renaissance Educator of the Year for her positive impact on her school’s culture.

CVUSD_GLASPY2: Las Palmas Middle School teacher Joy Glaspy has dedicated 26 years to teaching at Las Palmas and has led the school’s Renaissance program for more than a decade. Glaspy was recently named a 2026 Jostens Renaissance Educator of the Year.