MENIFEE, MORENO VALLEY – Two teachers with a combined 60 years of faithfully educating students were surprised to learn they are the final 2027 Riverside County Teachers of the Year and will represent Riverside County in the 2027 California Teacher of the Year competition later this year.
On Thursday, June 4, 2026, a cleverly planned school assembly at Sally Buselt Elementary School in the Menifee Union School District, and an impromptu visit to the Vista Del Lago High School Performing Arts Center in the Moreno Valley Unified School District, led to the announcements from Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin Gomez. At both events, students, staff, family, district leaders, and elected officials joined the celebrations.
The first two 2027 Riverside County Teachers of the Year were named in a surprise visit to the Desert Sands Unified School District classroom of Nanette (Nan) Davis-Kirchhevel on May 21 and Pedro Juarez in Beaumont Unified School District on May 27. All four teachers of the year will represent Riverside County in the 2027 California Teacher of the Year competition and be spotlighted at the 2027 Celebrating Educators Luncheon at the Riverside Convention Center on May 4, 2027.
About Lesley Stevens
“In her 38 years of teaching, Mrs. Stevens has become a nationally recognized instructional leader who is a champion for innovative math lessons, has trained more than 150 educators, and is deeply connected to the community through grant writing and partnerships,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin Gomez during the day’s first surprise visit of the morning. “She expands local history for students with museum visits, native plant projects, and hands-on learning experiences.”…