Danielle Schweikert Named SDCOE 2025 Teacher of the Year

Danielle Schweikert was inspired to be a teacher because of her admiration for all children and enthusiasm to be part of their educational journey.

“Children naturally tend to light up their environment, much like a firefly,” she said. “Even in the most challenging of situations, I can always identify the light that flickers in each child.”

That dedication to students and their learning is why Schweikert was selected by her peers as the Special Education Teacher of the Year and also named the SDCOE Teacher of the Year.

“Danielle impressed the committee with her differentiated approach to service for visually impaired students and families, the depth and breadth of her teaching experience, and the reflective yet articulate way she was able to advocate for the profession,” members of the selection panel said.

Each year, SDCOE programs that have teachers can select a teacher of the year for that program who then is shared with the panel that selects the SDCOE Teacher of the Year.

Schweikert will now be in the running to become one of the five San Diego County Teachers of the Year. Schweikert said she was honored and humbled to be recognized.

“I felt joyful and deeply touched,” she added. “It is much easier and more natural to give than receive. I felt that I wanted to savor and value the joy of the recognition because our work is so important and unique. I share this with my whole team in our collective efforts to serve our resilient students and their families.”

Schweikert teaches students with visual impairments throughout North County as part of the North Coastal Consortium for Special Education. She focuses on meeting them where they are to build trust through compassion, positivity, patience, encouragement, and kindness.

“Danielle's commitment to her students is unwavering,” said Jill Morris, coordinator with the consortium. “She is a teacher who not only educates but also nurtures, creating a safe and inspiring environment where students thrive.”

One of the ways that she has done that is through a culinary skills unit she designed for a student with vision loss. Through this unit, she empowered the student to plan, prep, and create healthy meals, giving him practical life skills that will serve him well as an adult.

Schweikert started teaching more than 20 years ago as a 5th grade teacher in Arizona. After moving to California, she worked as a substitute teacher for several years before pausing her education career to raise her three children. She came to SDCOE in 2013 in a part-time position and has been here since.

She says her priority is creating a safe and comfortable environment in which all students can learn.

“As an educator, I have a colossal responsibility for my students to know and feel that they are seen and heard,” she said. “I am on a crusade to make personal connections with students and provide them with a boost to feel valued and important, and to recognize their greatness.”