Innovative. That’s the word that best describes April Raguindin, a first-grade teacher at Dr. Douglas K. Fletcher Elementary. With two decades of teaching experience, she has continually reimagined how young learners engage and thrive.
“I love to try new things,” Raguindin said. “I feel like as a teacher, we always need to be learning and changing.”
Raguindin credits her administration and the Bakersfield City School District (BCSD) for fostering an environment where creativity and innovation are encouraged.
“They are not asking me to stay in this box,” she said.
Her creative, student-centered approach has flourished at Fletcher Elementary and earned her the distinction of being named a 2025 Kern County Teacher of the Year Finalist last May, making her eligible to advance to the statewide award program.
On Thursday, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced that Raguindin was named one of five educators statewide to receive the 2026 California Teacher of the Year honor. In addition, Thurmond selected Raguindin as California’s sole representative for the National Teacher of the Year competition, where she will compete alongside other state honorees from across the country.
Raguindin, a certified reading interventionist, is known for blending literacy, social–emotional learning, and hands-on exploration both in and outside of the classroom. After school, she teaches gardening and cooking through her site’s Extended Learning Program, expanding on the Fletcher Edible Schoolyard program she helped establish.
April Raguindin works on a math problem with a student.
“There’s incredible work happening right here in Kern County, and the rest of California should know about it.”
— April Raguindin
What began as a handful of garden beds has grown into a thriving learning space complete with a hydroponic farm, an electric composter, and regular lessons in cooking, sustainability, and environmental stewardship. By welcoming other classrooms into the garden and collaborating with colleagues, Raguindin ensures that hands-on learning extends beyond her own students.
“Mrs. Raguindin is a true leader within our school,” said Fletcher Principal Denise Flowers. “Her ability to collaborate with colleagues, coach new teachers, and contribute to school initiatives highlights her outstanding contributions to the field.”
Raguindin says that building relationships early on in the school year is the secret to leaving a lasting impact on her students. She establishes two-way social contracts with her students, talks regularly about how to treat one another, and prioritizes student well-being and behaviors that foster open discussion. Her community-based approach invites families into classroom conversations, emphasizing how family well-being supports student success.
“It’s about community, that’s the name of the game,” she said. “The first three weeks of the school year, we spend learning about each other — what they like, what they dislike.”
She continually observes how her students engage, adjusting her methods to meet their needs and spark curiosity. Early in the school year, for example, a student with autism repeatedly asked, “When do we play?” Reflecting on her classroom structure and her goal of instilling a love of school, Raguindin added ten minutes of morning play, which supported him and positively impacted the entire class.
When asked what advice she would give to teachers considering applying for the Kern County Teacher of the Year Award program, Raguindin encouraged fellow educators to confidently share their stories.
“Highlight what makes you unique,” she said. “There’s incredible work happening right here in Kern County, and the rest of California should know about it.”
Students learn in the Fletcher Edible Schoolyard.
