By Ashley Werre
Staff Writer
Michael Hernandez, Video Production and Broadcast Journalism teacher at Mira Costa High School, was recognized as Manhattan Beach Unified School District’s Teacher of the Year at the June 3 MBUSD Board meeting.
Hernandez was selected as the recipient of this title amongst seven other MBUSD teachers, including Patti Ortega of Robinson Elementary, Gelane Cameron of Pacific Elementary, David Barakat of Meadows Elementary, Jessica Duenas of Manhattan Beach Preschool, Marianne Slater of Grand View Elementary, Michelle Syverson of Pennekamp Elementary and Barbara Umanoff of Manhattan Beach Middle School.
“Michael is innovative and visionary; he has a deep curiosity and the desire to create advocates and leaders in his students,” Dale said in a speech he prepared for the meeting.
Hernandez has received numerous awards in the past including 2009 Apple Distinguished Educator, 2012 Google Certified Teacher, 2014 JEA National Broadcast Advisor of the Year and 2015 PBS Learning Media Digital Innovator. In addition to his scholastic contributions in the classroom, Hernandez has taken students to Cambodia and Cuba to create documentaries designed to educate students of cultures around the world.
“I’ve always strived to educate myself continually and learn new things,” Hernandez said. “I don’t think a teacher can just keep doing the same thing year after year. You have to keep learning and growing yourself, not just expect that of your students.”
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