BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — A Bakersfield first-grade teacher is among five educators for the 2026 California Teachers of the Year.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond made the announcement on Thursday.
Superintendent Thurmond praised the five educators named 2026 California Teachers of the Year and highlighted their passion, creativity, and commitment to inspiring students every day. “These extraordinary educators represent the very best of our public schools and remind us that great teaching can change lives and strengthen entire school communities,” Thurmond said.
One of the recipients is April Raguindin. Raguindin is a first-grade teacher at Dr. Douglas K. Fletcher Elementary School in the Bakersfield City School District.
In a release, it said, “Raguindin is a dedicated teacher who has become certified as a reading interventionist in order to provide her students with the best possible literacy instruction during the school day. After school, she continues teaching gardening and cooking through her site’s Extended Learning Program and builds upon the resources of an Edible Schoolyard program that she helped to establish.”
Superintendent Thurmond nominated Mrs. Raguindin as California’s representative for the National Teacher of the Year competition. Raguindin will compete against other state nominees, and the 2026 National Teacher of the Year will be announced in the spring.
Earlier this year, Raguindin was a finalist for Kern County’s Teachers of the Year.
L-R:{ }Frederick Arbon, April Raguindin, and Danyel Dahlen. Photo:{ }Kern County Superintendent of Schools{p}{/p}
SEE ALSO: Three educators named for Kern County Teacher of the Year finalists
The 2026 California Teachers of the Year include Corina Martinez of San Diego County, Chrizia Dela Rosa of Santa Clara County, as well as Rene Romero and Heather Povinelli, both of Los Angeles County.
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The California Teachers of the Year Program began in 1972 to honor outstanding teachers and encourage and inspire new teachers to enter the profession. It is presented by the California Department of Education (CDE) and supported by the California Teachers of the Year Foundation.