Grossmont High School Math Teacher Earns California’s Top Teaching Honor

Kristen LoPrell is named California Teacher of the Year EL CAJON - State Superintendent of Instruction Tony Thurmond announced today that Grossmont High School Math teacher Kristen LoPrell has been named one of five California Teachers of the Year.

LoPrell has served as a Grossmont High School (GHS) Math teacher since 2015 and currently serves as Math Department Chair. She has served as an academic league coach, freshman orientation leader, and math coach. She has also updated course pathways to provide access to all levels of honors math for all students. As an adjunct professor at Point Loma Nazarene University, where she earned both her Bachelor of Science in Math and Master of Teaching degrees, she taught courses in research methods and best practices for statistical analysis and also guided new teachers in math practices, classroom management, and instruction.

“Over Kristen LoPrell’s remarkable career, she has helped countless Grossmont High School students discover the beauty of mathematics,” said GUHSD Superintendent Mike Fowler. “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 the many students who have testified to the influence she has had on their lives,” he added.

“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,” she added.

According to the California Department of Education (CDE), the California Teachers of the Year Program, which is supported by the California Teachers of the Year Foundation, began in 1972 to honor outstanding teachers and encourage and inspire new teachers to enter the profession. County offices of education nominate California Teachers of the Year applicants through their county-level competitions. The CDE selection committees review applications, evaluate teachers’ rapport with students, classroom environments, presentation skills, and teaching techniques, and interview the teachers. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction then selects the five California Teachers of the Year and the National Teacher of the Year nominee.

Images: Kristen LoPrell
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