Communications

Teachers are Heroes

Do you know a teacher who goes above and beyond in their job to create a lifelong love of learning in children? Nominate them for Teachers Are Heroes, a program of Entercom Communications—home of KSON, FM 94.9, and Sunny 98.1—and Azusa Pacific University, in partnership with the San Diego County Office of Education.  

Twelve times during the school year, the Teachers are Heroes team surprises amazing K-5 teachers across the county. Recognized teachers receive a gift card for classroom supplies, a classroom lunch party from Sombrero Mexican Food, and other fun incentives, including an end-of-year celebration at Legoland for their entire classroom

Learn more about the program and submit a nomination. Self-nominations are not accepted.

Innovate 8

Innovate 8 is NEWS 8's educational, outreach, and mentoring partnership with the San Diego County Office of Education and UC San Diego. 

The program's purpose is to inspire K-12 students, particularly underserved minority students, in STEAM learning to empower their futures and promote diversity in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.  

A NEWS 8 team will visit school STEAM programs to film segments that engage San Diego students to become innovators. The segments will air on NEWS 8 and be posted on the program website. 

Learn more about the program or send nominations to communications@sdcoe.net.

NBC San Diego Inspirational Student and Teacher of the Month

The San Diego County Office of Education and NBC 7 San Diego are looking for inspirational students and teachers who are outstanding individuals on campus and within their community. 

An Inspirational Student of the Month is a high school junior or senior who not only excels in their curriculum and demonstrates leadership, but who goes above and beyond and takes initiative to improve their school and community's environment through service, philanthropic efforts, personal values, or a positive influence. Nominate a student.

An Inspirational Teacher of the Month is a dedicated K-12 educator who brings their energy, enthusiasm, and creativity to the classroom every day. They face challenges with ingenuity, are held in high esteem by their peers and students, or set an inspiring example through their community service. Nominate a teacher.

NBC 7 education reporter Rory Devine will recognize the selected student or teacher with a surprise visit to their classroom and interview the recipient for an Inspirational Teacher / Student of the Month segment that airs during a weekday newscast.

USD Torero Achievement Club

The University of San Diego's Torero Achievement Club—a partnership with SDCOE—is a great way for teachers of grades 3 through 8 to expose their classes to a college campus and recognize student achievement. 

School groups of any size are invited to attend a USD Torero basketball game. The group will be led on a USD campus tour immediately before the game. Tours are led by staff and/or student athletes who will reinforce the importance of college, sports, and future careers. In addition to the free game tickets and tour, Torero Achievement Club participants will receive a free meal voucher for concessions.

Home games can be selected from the schedule on the Torero website. For more information and to reserve a game date, email Monica Ventura or call 858-292-3753.

SDCCU Classroom Heroes

San Diego County Credit Union (SDCCU) and SDCOE recognize three local “Classroom Heroes” quarterly. Winning teachers are featured on all SDCCU social media platforms and receive a $250 SDCCU Visa® gift card. Visit sdccu.com/sweepstakes for complete rules.

Veterans and Japanese-American residents of San Diego County who ​were forced to leave high school during war may be eligible for an honorary high school diploma from the San Diego County Board of Education as part of its "Operation Recognition" program.

California Education Code authorizes the retroactive awarding of high school diplomas to eligible World War II, Korean War, Vietnam veterans and people who were detained in internment camps during World War II. These veterans and Japanese-American citizens will be granted the diplomas as a gesture of our society's gratitude for the sacrifices they made during wartime. Family members of deceased San Diego County residents may also apply for posthumous recognition.

Operation Recognition ceremonies will be conducted in conjunction with a regularly scheduled meeting of the County Board of Education.

Download the Operation Recognition Application (PDF)

Operation Recognition Recipients from the San Diego County Office of Education 

World War II

• Ralph Sarmiento
• Thomas Gravelle
• Charles Lewis Richard (awarded posthumously)
• Theodore Acosta
• Roy Edward Shult
• Alfred Silva
• Kenneth Max Harwood

Korean War

• Norm Johnson
• Richard Real

Vietnam War

• Joseph Farrell

Internment Camps

• ​Yoshik​o Golden (pictured)

Main Contact

Nicole Shina
Special Programs Assistant
858-295-6627