WATCH: Padilla Celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week, Calls in to Congratulate 2025 California Teachers of the Year
WASHINGTON, D.C. — To celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) called in to the classrooms of some of the 2025 Teachers of the Year in California. Padilla dropped in to thank teachers from San Diego County, Los Angeles County, and Marin County for their inspiring service and dedication toward ensuring their students’ success.
Kristen LoPrell, San Diego County
Kristen LoPrell is a 2025 California Teacher of the Year for the California Department of Education and a high school Mathematics and AP Calculus teacher at Grossmont High School. LoPrell supports the Gender and Sexuality Alliance and Academic League at her school. She also serves as the freshman orientation coordinator, training older students to mentor incoming freshmen. She works to ensure that all students feel safe in her classroom so they feel comfortable taking risks in their thinking as they practice arithmetic using real-life examples.
“Through it all, you’re hanging in there and doing great. You know, I can see by the biographical information I’ve read and by the look of the kids behind you, you’re truly inspiring, and that’s not a coincidence. It’s a reflection of who you are and your commitment and your service. So just thank you, thank you so much,” said Senator Padilla. “Some of the mentorship that you provide to a lot of the kids, especially in the times that we’re living in, it’s above and beyond, but much, much appreciated and very impactful. … Your joy and your commitment is shining through, and it’s not a surprise to everybody who knows you that you’re getting this recognition. So enjoy it.”
Matthew Winheim, Los Angeles County
Matthew Winheim is a 2025 California Teacher of the Year for the California Department of Education. He is a middle school STEM Aviation and Mathematics teacher at Space Aeronautics Gateway to Exploration Magnet Academy in the Palmdale Unified School District.
“My background is in engineering if you weren’t aware, so to hear that you’re teaching STEM and inspiring students in STEM makes me even more excited to be here. … A big thank you, because obviously these recognitions come about for teachers that go above and beyond. Every teacher I know does it out of the goodness of their heart. It’s all about how are we teaching kids and molding kids because they are the next generation,” said Senator Padilla. “A message to the students here: what your teacher is saying is absolutely right. If you’re inspired to go into the field, you can work in the private sector, you can be an innovator, an inventor, very successful on the business side of things, but I could tell you as an engineer who’s now in government and in the public policy space, a lot of the biggest challenges that we have as a country right now are rooted in technology solutions.”
Susan Wilkinson is Marin County’s Teacher of the Year and a Finalist for 2025 California Teacher of the Year for the California Department of Education. She is an Early Intervention Special Education teacher at Marindale School in the Marin County Office of Education.
A San Rafael resident, Wilkinson has been an early intervention specialist for children three to five years old at Marindale School in San Rafael since 2006. Wilkinson teaches a day class for students with autistic-like behaviors or severe language delays. She has been part of the special education team at the county education office since 1985.
“Just seeing the kids brings a smile to my face. But just want to thank you for allowing me to join you for a few minutes today to say, not just congratulations, but more importantly, just thank you. It’s beyond an honorable profession you have,” said Senator Padilla. “The next generation is in your hands. I just admire your service, your commitment, your heart for your kids. Being a teacher, in and of itself, is not easy. I know that — my sister has been an educator her entire career. But tackling special needs, and in the times that we’re living in, between COVID to the elimination of the Department of Education, all sorts of other things going on, I’m sure it doesn’t make the job easier, but appreciate your commitment.”
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