Advanced Placement (AP) Government and Politics, Film and Society and AP Psychology teacher Catherine Mintz was named the SDUHSD Teacher of the Year for the 2025-26 school year.
Mintz expressed her gratitude for the award.
“I definitely feel honored to represent my school in our district,” Mintz said. “I also feel sort of undeserving because I feel like there are so many teachers who excel in our school, in our district, and I feel like I’m not really deserving of this award, but I am honored to receive it.”
Mintz believes that the best way to teach is to create an environment where students feel seen and collaborate with their peers. However, she says that teaching goes both ways.
“I believe that we’re a learning community, so we all need to learn together,” Mintz said. “I believe that I learned from my students, as well as they learn from me. I … value the courses that I teach, and the importance that each of those courses have on students’ future education and their future goals. So, I do believe that it’s important to do my best to teach that content in a meaningful way.”
Chase Mafong (11), a student in Mintz’s AP Psychology class, finds her teaching style effective and helpful.
“I like how she makes [class] fun for all students,” Mafong said. “[She] has a very balanced teaching style that keeps us engaged for the entire class.”
Mafong added that he appreciates the way Mintz “personally relates to her students.” Some students may learn differently from others, so a lack of personalization can be frustrating for many. Mintz ensures that her classroom is a place where students can pursue academic success.
“I … believe that all students have the right to access curriculum,” Mintz said. “So it’s important to consider all the students’ learning styles as I teach [them].”
Mafong highlighted Mintz’s care and concern for her students.
“She has always come to me, asking if I need any help,” Mafong said. “She’s always supported me academically in the classroom and out of the classroom.”
Haley D’Iorio (11) is also a student in Mintz’s AP Psychology class. She praised Mintz’s ability to connect with students and make learning fun for them.
“[Mintz’s] teaching style is very interactive and engaging,” D’Iorio said. “It allows us to pick up the advanced psychology concepts very effectively while also having fun while learning … [Her] capability to brighten everyone’s day just by walking into the room makes her such an incredible teacher and I am so grateful … that I got the opportunity to be in her classroom this year.”
In addition to teaching effectively, D’Iorio said that Mintz is an “incredibly special” teacher because of her ability to help students grow in their personal lives and build “genuine connections” with them.
“Mintz has helped me grow as a person,” D’Iorio said. “She’s always encouraging, supportive and understanding, which all contribute to her helping me be the best version of myself, not only academically but personally as well.”
Reflecting on his experience as one of Mintz’s students, Mafong said he was “really happy” to have a “super supportive” teacher like her.
Although Mintz fosters a collaborative, student-centered classroom environment, she used to have a much more rigid and traditional classroom structure.
“I don’t think my students would believe me, but I was a lot stricter when I was younger,” Mintz said. “I was a lot more rigid. I lectured a lot in my early years, so a lot of the learning was based on note-taking and my instruction versus collaborative projects and activities.”
Mintz expressed her gratitude for those who supported her in her teaching journey.
“I’m just so grateful for all the support that I’ve received,” Mintz said. “I’m really grateful for all the well-wishes and everything that my colleagues have shared with me and I’m really appreciative, first and foremost to the staff and to [Principal Rob] Coppo for all his support.”
