Orange County Schools Teacher of the Year Finalists

Following the announcement of the school-level Teacher of the Year (TOY) nominees, three teachers have been selected as TOY finalists, all in the running to be named the Orange County Schools District Teacher of the Year at the TOY Banquet on April 24, 2025.

 

Jenna Busam 

“Jenna Busam is the type of educator that every child deserves,” said Kelly Parks, principal of Efland-Cheeks Global Elementary School. “No matter the title, her work has not changed, and it takes a special person to hear what a child can not yet say.”

Coming up on her second year in Orange County Schools as an English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher and with 16 years as an educator, Busam was selected as the Efland-Cheeks Global Elementary School Teacher of the Year. 

Prior to working in OCS, Busam actively contributed to professional development for fellow educators through beginning teacher support and enhancing literacy. In her work serving ESL students, Busam has made an impact at Efland-Cheeks by continuously setting the bar high for herself, her students, and her colleagues.

“I believe she has set an incredibly high standard for English Language (EL) teachers for our entire county, her impact has been incredible,” said one colleague. “Jenna understands and encourages the idea that every teacher has an impact on EL learners, and EL services don’t just happen in her classroom. We are all a team, and we all support the learning of every child.”

As an ESL Teacher, Busam said she values meeting students where they are through her “funds of knowledge” mindset:

“I am not filling up an empty bucket. Rather, I am in a reciprocal relationship with students, learning from them as they also learn from me and each other,” she said. 

 

Jose Hidalgo

Described by his peers as “intentional,” “hardworking,” and “impressive,” Jose Hidalgo, a seventh grade science teacher at A.L. Stanback Middle School (ALS) was nominated for his compassion and dedication to his students. 

Hidalgo has extensive prior experience in higher education and research and began his K-12 teaching career at ALS in 2020. While launching into a new role right on the cusp of the COVID-19 pandemic presented a unique set of challenges, nevertheless he transitioned skillfully into his role and has made a significant impact on ALS and the community. 

Demonstrating leadership and service in and out of the classroom, Hidalgo has earned a reputation as someone willing to go above and beyond for his community. 

“Mr. Hidalgo is one of the most dedicated and selfless educators I have had the pleasure of working with,” said a colleague. “His work ethic and commitment to his students and their success are familiar, but his intentionality sets him apart. His dedication extends beyond the classroom.”

One way he exhibits “intentionality” is through language integration in his classroom. As a native Spanish speaker, he seamlessly switches between languages to accommodate his students and provide what they need in order to succeed at any moment. 

“My intention is to always provide a learning environment with a variety of examples that promote culturally responsive pedagogy,” Hidalgo said. “Being a native Spanish speaker has helped tremendously in welcoming my newcomer students and including them as part of our classroom.”

 

Lisa McCurdy

With 22 years of service in Orange County Schools, Lisa McCurdy was named the 2025-26 River Park Teacher of the Year. Her creativity and compassion with her ESL students have made McCurdy a shining example in her learning community. 

McCurdy started her career in OCS at Orange Middle School in 2000, teaching sixth grade math and science. Nine years later, she transitioned to River Park Elementary School. 

In all corners of River Park, McCurdy is known for making great things happen even with limited resources, as one colleague wrote: “What truly sets Ms. McCurdy apart is her creativity and resourcefulness. She consistently designs engaging, hands-on science lessons that spark curiosity and excitement. Whether she’s turning her classroom into a mini-laboratory or leading students in outdoor investigations, she makes learning come alive.”

Creating an environment that serves the whole child is key to McCurdy’s philosophy of teaching, a response to her own personal experiences as a student. “I want to differentiate my teaching to meet the needs of students who struggle to demonstrate how smart they are. I want to be the teacher I wish I had in my formative years,” she said. 

Respected by colleagues and parents alike, McCurdy has shown her devotion to her students and the greater community and has proven herself to be a strong asset to the culture and community of River Park Elementary School. As a colleague added, “Her enthusiasm is contagious, and her classroom is a place where discovery and joy go hand in hand.”

Join us in congratulating our three 2025-26 Orange County Schools Teacher of the Year finalists! The district Teacher of the Year will be announced this Thursday, April 24. Stay tuned for more details.