A Los Osos Middle School teacher was selected as Teacher of the Year for the San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara County region.
The California League of Middle Schools Region 12 held its Educator of the Year dinner Thursday night.
Each of the nine nominees spoke about what they learned from their students this year.
Humanities and history teacher, Ames Harris, was chosen for her academic excellence and commitment to social equity and processes to support kids.
Harris, who has been an educator for 20 years, says its important for all her students to have equal access to success, opportunities and support.
"Every one of us needs someone who believes in us and sometimes a teacher is the only one that they have, that they see on a daily basis. And all of us, we need to be believed in," Harris said.
Harris helped train Los Osos Middle School staff on the gender spectrum and started an LGBTQ+ and friends club to support students.
