This San Diego-area educator was named ‘California Teacher of the Year’

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A San Diego County educator is being recognized as one the 2025 California Teachers of the Year , the California Department of Education announced this week.

The teacher receiving the honor, Kristen LoPrell, is a high school mathematics and AP calculus teacher at Grossmont High School in the Grossmont Union High School District. She is one of five local teachers to be named.

“These remarkable teachers have a lasting impact on their students, equipping them with the skills needed for success,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. “They serve as an inspiration and exemplify the exceptional work happening in California schools.”

According to the school, LoPrell works to ensure that all students feel safe in her classroom, so they “feel comfortable taking risks in their thinking as they practice arithmetic using real-life examples.” In fact, the desks in her classroom face each other in groups, so the students can work together to solve problems in teams that are randomly selected each day.

“This is the honor of my career,” LoPrell said. “Teaching mathematics is pure joy for me. My students make my days brighter and helping them realize they can do math is my favorite.”

Grossmont Union High School District Superintendent Mike Fowler praised LoPrell, stating, “She is an outstanding educator whose dedication to ensuring every student has a path to success is demonstrated by her fierce commitment to improving instructional practices and by the many students who have testified to the positive influence she has had on their lives.”

LoPrell joined FOX 5/KUSI Thursday morning to discuss what the recognition means to her, as seen in the video below:

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