‘The best of the best’

A crowd of students, administrators and union officials crammed the hallway and burst into the teachers’ lounge at Early College High School, ready to blindside biology teacher Candace Leuthold with flowers and congratulations.

That’s how the Newport-Mesa Federation of Teachers announces its districtwide Teachers of the Year. The federation honors one elementary school teacher and one secondary teacher. Leuthold was joined by elementary music teacher Scott Fitzpatrick as this year’s winners.

The winners will be submitted as entries for Orange County Teacher of the Year.

“Getting this honor is very special,” Asst. Supt. Chuck Hinman told the room. “It’s the best of the best, and they represent the entire district.”

Leuthold is a great communicator in a complex field, said Kimberly Claytor, president of the Newport-Mesa Federation of Teachers, who observed one of her classes last week.

“One thing that stood out was how she was engaging her students while explaining very complex topics,” she said. “They were talking about the structure of proteins and how they fold — really complicated stuff, and she was able to bring home the concept to high school students.”

Alex Santoyo, a freshman in Leuthold’s biology class, agreed.

“She explains everything,” he said. “She’s funny, and she’s creative.”

Claytor also noted that Leuthold was the California League of High Schools Teacher of the Year as well, “so she’s doing very well lately.”

“She makes you laugh,” ninth-grader Vianey Gomez said.

“It’s quite an honor, especially considering how many others were up for this,” Leuthold said. “But the kids I teach are great. I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Fitzpatrick, who was called into the Davis Elementary music room thinking he was in trouble, which was part of a ruse, said he was “surprised” to get the award but honored. Fitzpatrick said that in addition to coordinating music programs around the district, he travels from school to school and uses music in the classroom to help kindergartners learn language skills.

Especially for those struggling to learn English, music can do things that traditional language instruction can’t, Fitzpatrick said.

“As soon as you’re trying it in song, suddenly there’s this beautiful ‘Aha!” moment,” he said.

MICHAEL ALEXANDER may be reached at (714) 966-4618 or at michael.alexander@latimes.com.