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Education Sep 25, 2024
Arcadia teacher Courtney Franz, center, accepts her Teachers of the Year Award from LA County Superintendent Debra Duardo and LA County Board of Education President Stanley Johnson. | Photo courtesy of the Arcadia Unified School District
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A special education teacher in Arcadia has been selected as one of Los Angeles County’s 2024 Teachers of the Year, the local school district announced Wednesday.
Courtney Franz from Holly Avenue Elementary will go on to represent the Arcadia Unified School District in this year’s California Teacher of the Year competition.
Franz has taught in Arcadia classrooms for 17 years and also has developed comprehensive training programs for instructional assistants that have been implemented throughout the school district. Franz also coaches and co-teaches with other educators to support students.
“Mrs. Franz is a passionate educator known for her unwavering dedication to her students and our entire Holly Avenue community,” AUSD Board of Education President Raymond Cheung said in a statement. “Her deep love of teaching and commitment to her students knows no bounds.”
AUSD Superintendent David Vannasdall said in a statement, “Courtney’s enthusiastic and genuine care for empowering students with practical knowledge and perspective to help them tackle both whatever lies ahead for them in life and their personal goals for the future are second to none. She embodies our ‘Imagine, Inquire, Inspire’ tagline in all aspects of her role as an educator and as an invaluable contributor to our team.”
Franz was among the 16 LA County Teachers of the Year honorees, who were selected from a pool of 69 teachers from 65 school districts.
“Courtney takes every measure to ensure that every student receives the support they need to thrive academically and emotionally,” Holly Avenue Elementary Principal Teresa Oakland said in a statement. “She is truly an exceptional educator who embodies the values of excellence, compassion, and dedication that define the Arcadia Unified School District.”
Franz will represent the county in this fall’s statewide teachers competition — state officials will announce five California Teachers of the Year in October.
One of the state’s five honorees will represent California in the national competition next year.
Franz and the other honorees received a $1,000 prize donated by the California Credit Union.
