2019 - 2020 District Teachers of the Year
Kristel Hernandez
Eleanor Roosevelt High School
Krystal teaches 10th grade Basic English Language Arts at Eleanor Roosevelt High School. She has taught eleven years, all of which have been in the Corona-Norco Unified School District. Krystal believes that her students have language arts baggage they carry into her classroom due to years of academic defeat. She states, “My job is to help carry that load, then build their strength to carry it themselves. My particular super strength is my relentless support for the students who want to quit, by making strong connections with them, learning about what makes them tick, and finding out where they come from. I show them that I will hike this uphill journey with them.” Krystal earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of California, Irvine. She also earned her Master of Arts Degree in Education from Cal State, Fullerton.
Mayra Orozco
Washington Elementary School
Mayra teaches 4th grade Dual Immersion at Washington Elementary School. She has taught a total of twelve years, ten of which have been in the Corona-Norco Unified School District. Mayra believes in “closing the achievement gap through effective teaching practices where she can control the environment for positive learning experiences.” She believes in creating a “flexible learning environment where students are comfortable, but also have structure to keep them on track.” Most of all, she believes that she can “make a difference in kids’ lives.” Mayra earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from Cal State University, Fullerton and her Master Degree in Education at California Baptist University.
Juliana Thornton
Victress Bower School
Juliana teaches at Victress Bower School as a Severely Handicapped Transition Teacher. She has taught twenty years, sixteen of which have been in the Corona-Norco Unified School District. Juliana believes that “working together as a team is important in becoming an effective educator.” She collaborates with her team members regularly to design and implement a quality program for each student. She is always available to assist other teachers in equipment adjustment and positioning students properly, as she is a certified MOVE trainer. She also trains parents and caregivers how to help students transfer the skills learned at school to their home environment. Juliana earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara and her Master Degree at the American College of Education.
Grace Wilson
Sierra Vista Elementary
Grace teaches at Sierra Vista Elementary School as a RSP Teacher in Special Education. She has taught fourteen years, twelve of which have been in the Corona-Norco Unified School District. Grace believes that “her greatest accomplishment in education is getting to a clear understanding that in order to teach and reach students, she needs to be teachable herself.” To her, this means “maintaining an unquenchable desire to learn and improve her skills.” This philosophy keeps her “flexible and willing to make the necessary adjustments as she facilitates the learning of students in the 21st Century.” Grace earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree at Makerere University in Uganda, East Africa and her Master of Arts Degree from Chapman University. She has also earned her Preliminary Administrative Services Credential from Riverside County Office of Education.