Fullerton Union High School teacher Sal Tinajero (MS, Education 2006) has been named Hispanic Magazine's Teacher of the Year.
Mr. Tinajero, who beat out more than 100 finalists from across the country for the award, which is co-sponsored by the Nordstrom department-store chain, will travel to Washington, D.C. for a ceremony in his honor, and a tour of the White House with first lady Laura Bush.
As coach of the school's speech and debate team, Tinajero has tried to teach his students to believe in themselves, according to an article published in the Orange County Register. Since he began teaching at Fullerton Union High School five years ago, virtually all of his debate students have gone on to college, many earning full scholarships to prominent universities throughout the country.
Under Mr. Tinajero's tutelage, the Fullerton Union High School speech and debate team ranks as the defending Orange County champion and one of the state's top programs.
