School District Names 3 Teachers of the Year

Three teachers were honored as Capistrano Unified School District teachers of the year during a ceremony at this week’s school board meeting.

Viviana Bro, a second-grade teacher at Concordia Elementary School; Candy Johnson, an Aliso Viejo Middle School sixth-grade, mass media and French teacher; and Mike Sullivan, a Dana Hills High School science teacher, were recognized for their commitment to their students and excellence in education.

Johnson, who has taught in the district for 20 years, thanked her school principal and the board for their support when she received her award. “I believe that teaching is the best of all possible careers,” Johnson said. “It’s never boring.”

A total of 38 teachers were chosen teacher of the year at their respective schools by colleagues based on their contributions to public education and the community. Bro, Johnson and Sullivan were then selected to represent the district in the elementary, middle and high school levels by a committee of teachers and administrators.

“Viviana Bro is an extraordinary teacher,” Principal Kathy Oshima George said of her school’s representative. “By setting high standards and doing so with smiles and enthusiasm, she inspires children to reach their full potential.”

School site teachers of the year were awarded $250 from Capistrano Unified. In addition, the three district-level teachers of the year will receive a $1,000 merit award.