News Release and information regarding the California Teachers of the Year (CA TOY) Awardees for 2027.
Additional information can be found on the October 8, 2026, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Announces 2027 California Teachers of the Year News Release #26-43.
Katie Andan
National Teacher of the Year Candidate
Fifth grade
La Costa Heights Elementary School, Carlsbad
Encinitas Union School District, San Diego County
Katie Andan is a fifth-grade teacher at La Costa Heights Elementary School in the Encinitas Union School District, San Diego County.
Superintendent Thurmond nominated Andan as California’s representative for the National Teacher of the Year competition. Andan will compete against other state nominees, with the 2027 National Teacher of the Year to be announced in the spring.
Gagik Galfayan
Middle school; History
Woodrow Wilson Middle School, Glendale
Glendale Unified School District, Los Angeles County
Gagik Galfayan is a middle school History teacher at Woodrow Wilson Middle School in the Glendale Unified School District, Los Angeles County.
Edmund Maino
High school; AP Government, Macroeconomics, Economy, and History
Tehachapi High School, Tehachapi
Tehachapi Unified School District, Kern County
Edmund Maino is a high school AP Government, Macroeconomics, Economy, and History teacher at Tehachapi High School in the Tehachapi Unified School District, Kern County.
Wendy Saldivar
Fifth grade; multiple-subject Spanish dual immersion
Loara Elementary School, Anaheim
Anaheim Elementary School District, Orange County
Wendy Saldivar is a fifth grade multiple-subject Spanish dual immersion teacher at Loara Elementary School in the Anaheim Elementary School District, Orange County.
Ashley Uraine
High school; Clinical Medical Assistant studies
Yucaipa High School, Yucaipa
Colton-Redlands-Yucaipa Regional Occupational Program (ROP) District, San Bernardino County
Ashley Uraine is a high school Clinical Medical Assistant teacher at Yucaipa High School in the Colton-Redlands-Yucaipa ROP District, San Bernardino County.