EL MONTE – El Monte Union High School District (EMUHSD) has selected Arroyo High School (AHS) mathematics teacher Catherine Flores as the District’s 2023-24 Teacher of the Year, recognizing her dedication to giving back to the same school and District that helped shape her as a student.

The EMUHSD Board of Trustees recognized Flores with an award and her name on the District’s Teacher of the Year honoree display plaque at its Oct. 4 Board meeting, during which each Board member praised Flores’ accomplishments and her impact on students. Flores was also honored by the Los Angeles County Office of Education during a luncheon on Sept. 22.

“Thank you so much to this District and the AHS administration for their full support and nomination of this recognition, and for allowing me countless opportunities to let my ideas come to light for our students,” Flores said. “Being a product of this District, I believe I have a great understanding of my community and feel it is important to be able to connect with my students on a deeper level knowing what it is like to live in this city. I am proud to teach here, I tell my students every day that I bleed blue, black and white. I would not want to work anywhere else; this is where I am supposed to be and this is where I will retire from.”

Flores, who was born and raised in the City of El Monte, attended Durfee Elementary and is an Arroyo High School Class of 1999 graduate. While in high school, she was an active member of many academic and extracurricular activities such as volleyball, basketball, track & field, senior band, American Legion California Girls’ State, Associated Student Body and class council.

After earning her degrees – which include a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology with a minor in mathematics from Whittier College and a master’s degree in education and teaching credential from Azusa Pacific University – she returned to Arroyo High to teach math.

She has gone on to coach junior and varsity volleyball, shot put and discus, has served as the class advisor for the Class of 2022, the mathematics department chair and content specialist, and is the course lead for the school’s Integrated Math 1 and 2 courses.

“We are extremely grateful to have a teacher like Catherine Flores in our District and we are honored to recognize her tonight. She not only does incredible work for our students within the classroom but, she is also just as energetic to help them reach their goals outside of it,” Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga said. “On behalf of this District, we thank you for your service and dedication to ensuring you give back to your El Monte Union community.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

EMUHSD_TEACHER OF THE YEAR_1: Arroyo High School mathematics teacher Catherine Flores is honored as the District’s 2023-24 Teacher of the Year during a Board meeting on Oct. 4.

EMUHSD_TEACHER OF THE YEAR_2: Arroyo High School mathematics teacher Catherine Flores (center) celebrates her recognition as El Monte Union High School District’s 2023-24 Teacher of the Year with Arroyo Principal Gabriel Flores (left) and Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga (right) during a Board meeting on Oct. 4.