“I Feel Like Jelly”: SoCal Woman Honored as California Teacher of the Year

At Manhattan Beach Middle School, a teacher’s efforts to instill a love of science in her students has earned her a top California educator award.

Maggie Mabery, a seventh and eighth grade science teacher, was named a California Teacher of the Year on Wednesday, one of five teachers in the state receiving the honor this year.

On top of this award, a state education superintendent announced Mabery would move on to the National Teacher of the Year competition. 

"I feel like jelly because I'm so excited, what an honor," Mabery said. "There is no cooler profession that when you see a kid understand a concept, like a hard concept like mitosis, and the little lights that go on in their eyes."

Mabery was bestowed the award in her classroom in front of her students. She underwent rounds of interviews and submitted essays to be considered for the title.

"She loves her students, she loves her job, and she inspires all of us to greet every day joyfully while motivating all of our students to be the best they can be," said Michael Matthews, the superintendent for the Manhattan Beach Unified School District.

Her use of technology in the classroom was part of what made her stand out as a teacher. She often utilizes the iPad to assign assignments and projects while giving feedback to students through the device.

Manhattan Beach Middle School Principal John Jackson calls Mabery a true innovator.

"She works tirelessly to motivate her students to love learning science," Jackson said.

Mabery will be honored at a banquet in Sacramento in February 2015, in addition to representing California in the National Teacher of the Year competition.

The four other California teachers of the year are Amy Laughlin of Hansen School in Anaheim, Lovelyn Marquez-Prueher of Dodson Middle School in Rancho Palos Verdes, Erin Rosselli of Panorama Elementary School in Santa Ana and Christopher O'Connor of St. Helena High School in Napa County. 

The purpose of the California Teachers of the Year program is to recognize outstanding teachers in the state and heighten interest in teaching as a career, according to the award website.

Adrian Arambulo contributed to this report.