Fifth Grade Teacher Martin Dorado Named Pasadena Unified Teacher Of The Year

Martin Dorado, a fifth-grade teacher at Madison Elementary School, has been named Pasadena Unified School District’s Teacher of the Year. The announcement comes as schools across the nation celebrate National Teacher Appreciation Week from May 5-9, 2025.

“I was a product of PSD schools. I went to Allen Elementary, Wilson Middle School in Blair High School. And so my motivation comes from the spirit of public education,” said Dorado. “I think education’s a human right. I think that no matter what state students come in, they’re ever welcoming our classroom walls. I like to embody that spirit when the kids come to the classroom. That sense of community.”

Dorado, who has worked in Pasadena Unified School District since 2009, is a proud alumnus of Pasadena Unified School District schools. His recognition follows previous honors he earned, including a Helpful Honda Teacher Appreciation Award last year and being named a Grand Marshal of the 2024 Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade.

Dr. Elisa Perez, Principal of Madison Elementary, praised Dorado’s teaching approach.

“Mr. Dorado is an amazing teacher, an amazing educator. He makes learning fun. He tries to make it enjoyable. He’s very funny. You might see him in the classroom, joke around with them about different things, and it gets them involved in the curriculum in subtle ways, and they’re not even aware that they’re actually learning as they’re joking around. There’s a glow in him and a twinkle in his eye every time he’s ready to teach and he’s just very engaging with all of his Students. His teaching style is to bring everything alive, and especially with literature, it has to become alive,” she said.

Myrna Rodriguez, RTI Wellness Coach at Madison Elementary, highlighted Dorado’s importance to the school community.

“Mr. Dorado helps the students from our community in a huge way. A lot of these students either don’t speak English or in most of them English is a second language. He tries to meet them where they are, speaks to them in their language, and that’s a huge reason why he is a fantastic teacher for this school and this community,” Rodriguez said.

Students expressed enthusiastic support for their teacher’s achievement.

“Congratulations Mr. Dorado, for winning your world. You really have worked hard for this and you deserve it,” said one student.

Another added, “Mr. Dorado, I really think that you deserve this award for everything that you’ve done for the whole entire class.” A third student commented, “Congratulations Mr. Dorado for getting that award. You deserve it.”

One student noted, “Sometimes. He says he’s Ironman or Batman. I thinks it’s a superhero.” Dorado emphasizes student empowerment in his teaching philosophy. “What I want them to remember is that the answers are within themselves. We’re all different, and we all bring different strengths. So whatever your thing is, you follow it, you go. You keep doing it. Be the best that you can be at it and everything else will follow,” he said.

As Pasadena Unified School District’s Teacher of the Year, Dorado will advance to the Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year awards program. The Los Angeles County program is one of the largest and most prestigious honors for public school educators in the U.S., recognizing teachers who demonstrate exemplary dedication, innovative classroom practices, and strong commitment to students.

From a competitive pool of 69 teachers representing 65 districts in 2024-25, 16 are chosen as Los Angeles County Teachers of the Year. These honorees receive a $1,000 cash award and advance to the California Teachers of the Year competition, with potential to compete for state and national recognition.