San Diego
David Vigilante, “Mr. History” to his peers, is the recipient of a $25,000 state award as an outstanding teacher. Vigilante’s honor was one of a dozen “outstanding educator” awards announced by Bill Honig, state superintendent of public instruction.
Vigilante, 53, is a teacher of history and civics at Gompers Secondary School in San Diego. He has taught in private and public school systems for 29 years, including 24 years with the San Diego Unified School District.
The Gompers teacher works an average of 60 hours a week, including after-school and weekend coaching sessions and preparatory classes for which he is not paid, school district officials said.
Vigilante also coached a Gompers student team that went on earlier this year to win a national historical competition.
County school superintendents and state Department of Education officials selected the 12 winners of State Educator Awards. Money for the awards is provided by the Milken Family Foundation of Los Angeles, which began the program last year.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
