Five Pasadena Unified School District teachers will be honored beginning at noon Wednesday, April 29, during the Rotary Club of Pasadena’s 36th Annual Teachers of Excellence Award Ceremony.
The educators were chosen by a selection committee composed of Rotarians, and community members including members of the Pasadena Educational Foundation. The nomination packages included three essays from each nominee and three essays from their respective principals. Committee members also visited the classrooms to observe and evaluate the finalists.
The five winners who will be honored are:
- Maria Barajas, second grade, Hamilton Elementary
- Michael Birnbryer-Lao, music, Blair HIgh School
- Sonia Covarrubias, kindergarten, Willard Elementary
- Ani Karapetyan, sixth grade science and math, Eliot Arts Magnet
- Jocelyn Strickland, third grade, Jackson Elementary
PUSD Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco will join the program as a special guest, along with other high-ranking PUSD officials, and representatives from state and local elected officials’ offices.
The Rotary Club’s annual Teachers of Excellence Award Program fosters, encourages and recognizes excellence in teaching and dedication to public education at PUSD. Each Teacher of Excellence will awarded $2,300 to use for any purpose they choose, whether personal or professional. This is a substantial increase from the $1,500 that has been presented to each winner since the program’s inception in 1990, reflecting the Rotary Club’s desire to not let inflation render the monetary awards less meaningful than in prior years.
An additional $500 will be awarded to each winner’s school for educational purposes. Funding is provided by the Pasadena Rotary Foundation. The awardees additionally receive recognition from state and local officials.
The program started in 1990, a product of hard work and dedication on the part of Pasadena Rotary’s members the late Joe Lonergan, the late Al Lowe, and Christle Balvin, among others.
The 2026 Teachers of Excellence Co-chairs are Rotarians Mary Lou Byrne and Gary W. Kearney.
The April 29 meeting is open to the public with a reservation required; lunch charge is $45/person, held at the University Club at 12:00 5o 1:30 pm. RSVP to office@pasadenarotary.com.
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