El Morro Elementary School teacher Kathleen Margaretich has been named a 2026 Outstanding K–12 STEM Educator by the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE).
Margaretich is among 11 Orange County educators and community leaders selected for the 2026 Outstanding STEM Educator Awards, which recognize individuals expanding opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. Honorees were selected through a competitive nomination and review process by a panel of educators and community leaders.
At El Morro, Margaretich leads hands-on science learning for students from transitional kindergarten through fifth grade. Through weekly science lab experiences, students engage in Next Generation Science Standards-aligned lessons designed to make scientific concepts tangible through exploration and experimentation…