By Sydney Severo
Staff Writer
A Los Angeles County Office of Education panel awarded Mira Costa High School cinema and broadcast journalism teacher Michael Hernandez on Sept. 18 as one of 16 Los Angeles County teachers of the year.
Because Hernandez was the 2015 Manhattan Beach Unified School District teacher of the year, an LA County Office of Education panel, composed of LA County Office administrators and previous LA County teachers of the year, interviewed Hernandez to qualify as an LA County teacher of the year. To complete the LA County process, he also completed a written component.
“It’s definitely an honor to be named,” Hernandez said. “There are 72,000 teachers in Los Angeles County. To be one of the top 16 teachers in the county is pretty incredible and it’s quite an honor to be spotlighted. There are a lot of great teachers out there, so I am happy that I can represent those folks and show them what it means to be a good teacher.”
According to Hernandez, he is looking forward to being able to share the achievement with his students because they are his inspiration to teach and innovate. He also acknowledges that being recognized will give him the platform to share and discuss his opinions on education, and the future of the education system in our district.
“Hernandez is a very innovative and creative teacher,” Costa Principal Dr. Ben Dale said. “He engages the kids and gets them to be creative in their learning as well. Overall, Hernandez and his award just show that Mira Costa students have the best teachers in the county.”
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