Pitman High School English teacher Katie Jeans was named the 2025 Teacher of the Year for the high school category at a ceremony held in Modesto on Tuesday.
The Modesto Rotary Club and the Stanislaus County Office of Education announced the selection of four local educators as 2025 Stanislaus County Teachers of the Year, including Jeans. In addition, a Jane Johnston Civility Award was presented to one of the 12 finalists for exemplifying the principles of civility.
Along with Jeans, the 2025 Teachers of the Year are Ernesto Hinojosa from Freedom Elementary School in the Sylvan Union School District for the TK-3rd category; Kayla Aghassi from Hughes Elementary School in the Empire Union District for the 4-6th category; and Carla Escriba from Blaker-Kinser Junior High School in the Ceres Unified School District for the junior high category.
Jeans has been teaching for 21 years, 19 of those at Pitman High School. She teaches Honors English 10 and AP Literature while also serving as the Associated Student Body advisor.
Jeans said the best part of her job is interacting with so many students and listening to their ideas and thoughts.
“Pitman has my heart so I am so fortunate that through teaching, ASB, and the various teams that I am a part of that I get to extend my influence inside and outside of my classroom to support the success of all students on our campus,” she told the Journal last month when she was named a finalist.
The four selected as Teachers of the Year each received a $1,000 cash award from the Modesto Rotary Club Foundation. Mocse Credit Union also sponsored the event and provided funding for the awards.
The Jane Johnston Civility Award was presented to Irene Bautista from Ceres High School in the Ceres Unified School District. Bautista received a $1,000 cash award from the Education Foundation of Stanislaus County for exemplifying one of the 12 traits of civility. The Civility Award is in honor of Jane Johnston, former SCOE Assistant Superintendent and Education Foundation member.
This is the 26th year that Modesto Rotary and SCOE have joined efforts to honor teachers in Stanislaus County. The program not only honors local teachers and celebrates excellence in education, but also provides an opportunity for teachers to receive state and national recognition. Two of the Teachers of the Year will be selected, through an interview process, to represent Stanislaus County in the State Teacher of the Year Program. One state winner then proceeds to the national level.
“It’s been a true privilege to partner with Modesto Rotary over the past 26 years to honor educators who guide, support, and inspire our students every day,” said County Superintendent of Schools Scott Kuykendall.
