Las Palmas Middle School teacher and Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Coordinator Christy Thiel has been named one of only four finalists nationwide for the AVID Staff Developer of the Year Award, which honors educators for outstanding contributions to professional learning, student success, and the advancement of the AVID program. In 2008, Thiel became the school’s first AVID elective teacher and coordinator when the program offered only one section for seventh-graders. Seventeen years later, more than 330 students make up the 10 sections of AVID at Las Palmas, spanning sixth through eighth grade, including three AVID Excel sections for students in need of additional language support.
El Monte High School history teacher Sara Quezada, a 37-year educator known for her innovative teaching and steadfast dedication to students, has been named El Monte Union High School District’s 2025-26 Teacher of the Year. Quezada, who has spent the last decade inspiring learners at El Monte High, was honored during a Board meeting on Oct. 15.
Bonita Unified School District is bringing farm-fresh produce and nutrition education directly to students through new Mini Farmers Markets at various BUSD school sites, supported by a $3,000 California Farm to School Incubator grant. In partnership with Old Grove Orange – a local produce supplier that serves all BUSD campuses – Grace Miller Elementary hosted the first event on Sept. 26, where students were presented with locally grown fruits and vegetables, learned about their nutritional benefits, and gained a better understanding of where their food comes from. The next Mini Farmers Market will take place Nov. 12 at Allen Avenue Elementary.
California State Sen. Susan Rubio, a public school teacher, will return to the classroom to engage San Dimas High School students in a lesson about the legislature and civics process, inspiring student leaders to learn how their voices can have a larger impact on their community.
Jurupa Hills High School opened its doors to nearly 3,000 students and families from across the Inland Empire on Oct. 8 as Fontana Unified School District hosted the annual Regional College and Career Fair for the first time on a District campus. Presented in partnership with Chaffey Joint Union High School District, the fair connected attendees with more than 70 colleges, universities, employers, and career programs from across the country, offering a one-stop shop to explore post-secondary pathways and kept the event local and accessible for students and their families.
When San Dimas High School Class of 2005 graduate and visual designer Kat Bingley – known professionally as “Katbing” – was asked to collaborate with French street artist Kekli to create the towering nine-story “Games 4 All” mural, celebrating the Olympic spirit in the runup to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, it was a milestone in her career. With her to record the process for a documentary film was her twin sister Barbara Bingley-Verseman, also a 2005 San Dimas graduate. It was an experience that brought the pair even closer together, and a first-time collaboration from two former students of longtime San Dimas High art teacher Dominic Black. The alumnae got a hero’s welcome home when the film, “Le Mural,” received a special screening at the Bonita Center for the Arts on Sept. 26, with the pair sitting for a Q&A after the film, discussing their whirlwind two-week visit to France and reminiscing about their time at San Dimas High. The screening was hosted by Black, with the Q&A moderated by San Dimas High Class of 2020 graduate Eve McFarland.
Texas A&M University – Kingsville (TAMUK) is embracing Caring Campus to strengthen student success – trailblazing as the first Caring Campus university, earning bronze Caring Campus Certification, and preparing to present at the Caring Campus Conference: Building a National Culture of Care, happening Nov. 12-14 in San Diego. TAMUK’s commitment reflects the core tenet of Caring Campus: establishing a welcoming environment where students feel connected leads to greater student retention, persistence, and success.
In a festive atmosphere that embraced the coming of autumn, favoring tranquil shades of orange that reflected throughout the Bonita Center for the Arts, Bonita Unified celebrated its newest group of English learners (EL) eligible to be reclassified after passing their English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) exams during a Districtwide ceremony on Oct. 1. All BUSD schools with reclassified ELs were recognized at the same time, with 81 K-12 students eligible to participate in the ceremony, where they received a medal, certificate, and goody bag, while their families cheered them on.
Bonita Unified School District’s comprehensive high schools, Bonita High and San Dimas High, have been named among the top 16 percent of public high schools nationwide in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report “Best High Schools” rankings, recognizing the schools’ commitment to academic excellence and college readiness. Bonita High School placed in the top 11% of public high schools nationwide and in the top nine percent of schools statewide. San Dimas High School ranked in the top 16% nationwide and in the top 15% of California schools. Both schools achieved graduation rates of 94% or higher.
The Whittier Union Adult School’s (WUAS) Plumbing 1 class has served as a pipeline of employment since its inception in 2022, with the career technical education (CTE) course providing students with expert guidance that emphasizes employability, efficiency, accuracy, and relationship-building. Preparing the next generation of plumbers, the class currently has an 80% employment rate. The rapid success of the program has been recognized by the South Bay Workforce Investment Board (SBWIB), who awarded WUAS with its 2025 Outstanding Program Performance Award. The school will receive its award at SBWIB’s 30th Annual Awards Ceremony, held Oct. 30 at the Torrance Marriott South Bay.
