California Teacher of the Year (TOY)

Ying Jin: California Teacher of the Year 2017

Ying Jin teaches Chinese Language and Culture at Cupertino High School, Homestead High School and Fremont High School, all in the Fremont Union High School District in Sunnyvale. She is also a Lead Educator at the Stanford University STARTALK Programs, from 2013-2016. Ying Jin has been a lecturer, teacher, lead teacher, administrator, presenter and so much more, from China to California.  Ying Jin belongs to several professional organizations and presents for many of them, including CLTA. You may also remember Ying Jin as a CLTA Outstanding Teacher of the Year 2016.

The Teacher of the Year program was established in 2004 to bring attention to the importance of language education for all students. Candidates from the states compete in the regional levels and candidates chosen at the regional level go on to the national level. The state, regional and national Teachers of the Year play an important role in bringing the importance of world language education to the public, the profession, and policy makers.

CLTA has participated almost each year since the program inception. Congratulations to Liz Matchett and past winners!

California Teachers of the Year

2016       Liz Matchett, Spanish teacher at Henry M. Gunn High School, Palo Alto.

2015       Don Doehla, French teacher at Vintage High School, Napa.

2014       Nicole Naditz, French teacher at Bella Vista High School, Fair Oaks.

2013       Kerstin Helbing, German teacher at Gunn High School, Palo Alto.

2012       Cynthia Leathers, Spanish teacher at Redondo Union High School,  Redondo Beach.

2011        Yo Azama, Japanese teacher at North Salinas High School, Salinas.

2010       Kerstin Helbing, German teacher at Gunn High School, Palo Alto.

2009       Evelyne Charvier-Berman, French professor at El Camino College, Torrance.

2008       Gloria Payette, Spanish teacher at Freedom High School, Oakley.

2007       Jamin Lynch, German teacher at Independence High School,  San Jose.

2006       Christine Lanphere, French teacher at Natomas High School, Natomas.

2005       [No SWCOLT Teacher of the Year competition was held this year.]

2004       Tanya Zaccone, Spanish Teacher at Center High School, Antelope.

Please contact exec-director@clta.net for any changes or additions to this list. Thank you!