November 5, 2026
WALNUT, CA - On October 21, 2026, the Walnut Valley Unified School District recognized 15 outstanding teachers at the 29th annual Salute to Teachers ceremony, which took place in the Walnut High School Performing Arts Center. Dr. Matt Torres, Deputy Superintendent of Business Services, and Dr. Diane Perez, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, served as the event’s announcers. The Walnut High School Chamber Choir opened the event performing a beautiful piece under the direction of Andrew Perez. Proud families, colleagues, local dignitaries, and community leaders cheered on our 15 educators as they received this well-deserved recognition.
Acknowledging this year’s District’s theme, “Open Doors: See it. Celebrate it. Share it.”, Dr. Matt Torres said this year’s theme “reminds us of the countless opportunities our educators create each day. They open doors to new ideas, new possibilities, and new ways for students to discover their potential.”
Congratulations to our 15 outstanding educators who were recognized for the 2025–2026 school year:
- April Alvarez, Castle Rock Elementary School
- Sarah Sherman, C.J. Morris Elementary School
- Juanita Wright, Collegewood Elementary School
- Sarah Nam-Lee, Evergreen Elementary School
- Marlene Hernandez, Maple Hill Elementary School
- Michael Miller, Quail Summit Elementary School
- Trisha Chun, Vejar Elementary School
- Karina Kho, Walnut Elementary School
- Therapi Zaw-Kaplan, Westhoff Elementary School
- Taylor Barr, Chaparral Middle School
- Kevin Troudy, South Pointe Middle School
- Jessica Renault, Suzanne Middle School
- Steven Acciani, Diamond Bar High School
- Trisha Castaneda, HARTT Center
- Rebecca Chai, Walnut High School, District Teacher of the Year
2007 California Teacher of the Year and current Suzanne Middle School Teacher, Helen Papadopoulos, introduced our 2025/2026 District Teacher of the Year, Rebecca Chai from Walnut High School. All honorees received an engraved marble apple award donated by the Walnut Valley Education Foundation. Thanks to the generosity of local businesses, they received a rolling cart filled with gift cards, special gifts, and certificates of recognition from local and state officials.
About Walnut Valley Unified School District
Walnut Valley Unified School District (WVUSD) is consistently recognized for excellence, earning honors such as National Blue Ribbon, California Gold Ribbon, and California Distinguished School awards. Our schools ranked among the top 2% of over 10,000 public school districts nationwide in the Niche Best School Districts in America and are featured in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026/2027 Best School Rankings, a reflection of our ongoing commitment to student success. To learn more about WVUSD, please visit WVUSD.org. Connect with WVUSD on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Contact
Michelle Figueroa, Public Information Specialist
Office: 909-595-1261, Ext. 31204
Shown
1. WVUSD Teachers of the Year smile together for a group photo.
2. WVUSD Teachers of the Year pose on stage with the Board of Trustees and Superintendent Dr. Taylor.
3. Superintendent Dr. Taylor welcomes teachers, staff, and families to the 29th Annual Salute to Teachers.
4. The Walnut High School Chamber Choir, directed by Andrew Perez, performs “When She Loved Me” by Randy Newman.
5. District Teacher of the Year Rebecca Chai poses with the Board of Trustees and Superintendent Dr. Taylor.