Strathmore High School teacher John Lujan has been named High School Educator of the Year in the 26th Annual Confucius’ Birthday/Educator of the Year Awards. The awards program is a partnership between the Tulare County Office of Education and the Central California Chinese Cultural Center. Each year, one teacher from the elementary, middle, and high school levels are honored in celebration of Confucius’ birthday, China’s great philosopher and advocate for universal education.
Lujan is the first PUSD teacher to earn the honor since Monache High School’s Dale Anderson in 1998.
“I would like to thank Diane Rankin, (PUSD Superintendent) Dr. Nate Nelson, and Porterville Unified School District for giving me the opportunity to make a difference in students’ lives,” Lujan said. “I am proud to work for the same school district that I graduated from (Monache High School in 1988).”
As a math teacher, Lujan also helps students with his knowledge as a chili pepper farmer. He facilitates student learning on the school farm with real-life applications of math concepts through farming.
“We are very happy for Mr. Lujan,” Strathmore High Principal Diane Rankin said. “He possesses the unique ability to connect with every student, and his enthusiasm for teaching students gets them excited about learning.”