'Unconditional' Hidalgo Named OCS 2025-26 Teacher of the Year

José Hidalgo of A.L. Stanback Middle School named Orange County Schools 2025-26 Teacher of the Year

‘One of the most dedicated and selfless educators’

Intentional. Hardworking. Kind-hearted. Selfless.

These are just a few of the adjectives students and colleagues use to describe José Hidalgo — a seventh grade science teacher at A.L. Stanback Middle School (ALS) who has been with Orange County Schools since the start of 2021. 

In just a few years, Hidalgo’s selflessness, dedication to his work, and ability to form strong relationships have made a profound impact on A.L. Stanback students and staff. Known for being willing to go above and beyond for individuals and his community, Hidalgo has built a reputation that now also helps to shape the school’s culture.

 

 

For leadership in and out of the classroom, passion for his work, and dedication to the teaching profession, José Hidalgo has been named Orange County Schools 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year!

His selection was announced at the Teacher of the Year celebration on Thursday, April 23, where Superintendent Dr. Danielle Jones praised all 13 school-level Teachers of the Year for their commitment to innovative teaching and continuous improvement.

“I congratulate Mr. Hidalgo on this well-deserved recognition of his passion for supporting his students and his colleagues,” said Dr. Jones, “and I am excited for him to represent our district this year. I look forward to working with him and his fellow teacher leaders to enrich and enhance teaching and learning in all our schools.”

Hidalgo’s deep love for environmental science and helping students tackle real-world challenges is evident in his career path. Step by step, he followed an alternative path to teacher licensure program with Orange County Schools from January 2021 until he received his NC Educator License in December 2024.

 

 

Though K-12 teaching spans a few of Hidalgo’s 30 years of professional experience, his passion for imparting knowledge and love of science in others leaps from this summary atop his resume:

“Energetic educator with proven skills teaching Science, Biology, CPR and Scuba Diving to a diverse set of students. Conscientious and adaptable in meeting individual student needs, with personalized instruction in both classroom and field settings. Scientific researcher with extensive field research and peer reviewed publications. Fluent in English, Spanish and French. Basic Portuguese.”

In higher education, he served as a research consultant in the United States and Latin America, a Geographical Information Systems (GIS) specialist, and in graduate and teaching assistantships and lecturerships, teaching biology and conservation education.

Additionally, he is a veteran instructor in Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA), Divers Alert Network (DAN), and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) skills. He brought his first-responder teaching skills to A.L. Stanback to support staff as well.

There is no gap too wide for Hidalgo, when it comes to connecting with students, inspiring them with love of science, and helping them advance toward their learning goals.

“I have been teaching for over 15 years at different levels, disciplines and settings – in the classroom, laboratories, ocean, and forest,” he said.

“I love to have a dynamic classroom where students participate and have an active voice, an environment where everyone is welcome and included, a classroom that promotes hands-on activities to give students the opportunity to engage, relate and experience science.”

Hidalgo joined Orange County Schools as a seasoned instructor, but his opportunity to acquire a teaching license put him on a multi-year path with dedicated support from OCS staff. His ability to create a fully engaged classroom — where students actively participate and take a leading voice — is evident and has been recognized by students and colleagues alike. 

According to his teaching philosophy, it all starts with relationship building:

“My philosophy of teaching is to engage and build relationships with my students,” he said. “I strongly believe that as an educator, I need to listen to my students, understand their backgrounds and their stories.”

One way he ensures his students are fully engaged is by using two languages when teaching, making sure each lesson is taught in both English and Spanish to give students access to both content and support. Not only does he see that his Spanish-speaking students better understand the material, this also allows students to interact more fully with each other.

 

 

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

Mr. Hidalgo’s compassionate leadership and willingness to serve speak loudly into every facet of his life as a Bulldog at A.L. Stanback, as described by Assistant Principal Wyn Payton: 

“Mr. H exemplifies the word ‘unconditional.’ He does things unconditionally, he loves the community unconditionally. And he does that through his actions. Whether it’s a student, whether it’s a teacher, whether it’s administration – it doesn’t matter the situation, it’s always unconditional.”

“He exemplifies the quote ‘Kids don’t care what you know until they know you care’,” added Payton. “Whether working with advanced students or providing extra encouragement to those who may be less interested, Mr. H demonstrates the same level of care, enthusiasm, and compassion for every student, helping them achieve their highest potential.”

A true reflection of his character and selfless nature shone through when he supported the family of a student who had recently undergone major surgery. He stood by them every step of the way, offering comfort and a steady source of strength and support during the time. 

Reflecting on this experience, particularly around Hidalgo’s effort to rally his students behind this effort, one student said: “It just made me to happy to see one of my teachers care so much about somebody and want to make sure that they’re ok, know that they’re in a safe space and that they’re healing.” 

His leadership abilities extend beyond the classroom to his role as coach for wrestling and boys’ soccer. Blending high expectations and unconditional support for others – a legacy he hopes to impart to his family and students, as a “kind human” – has helped his student-athletes grow and develop into better people, as one student said. 

“He really is an amazing person,” he said. “His choice of words is so comforting in every situation. My first year of wrestling I didn’t do as well as I wanted to, and I remember his words were that he saw amazing things in me and to keep pushing myself. I felt really safe and special, which is the reason why I did work — because of his motivation to push myself and try my best in everything.” 

“José gives so freely of his heart to all whose lives he touches,” said school counselor Sherry McKinney in recommending Hidalgo. “Our students and school have grown deeply through his care. It is time for our community to show him the same love he shares with all of us and recognize him as Teacher of the Year.”

Mr. Hidalgo will serve Orange County Schools as the 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year and help organize all 13 school-level Teachers of the Year in a leadership cohort for the next school year. He will also represent OCS alongside other teacher leaders statewide as they advance  toward recognitions at the regional and state level.

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OCS Human Resources shared a special shout-out for the amazing sponsors who helped make a delightful Teacher of the Year Banquet possible. As Chief Human Resource Officer Jeff Koweek said, "The Colonial Inn is an outstanding supporter of Orange County Schools and all our teacher honorees. We thank you for your outstanding generosity, and for making our banquet a night to remember!"