Math teacher Leslie Hicks was nominated Teacher of the Year by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD).

“It’s amazing,” Hicks said. “I’m super excited and proud. There’s 22 of us. All women.”

Hicks is the second teacher at Daniel Pearl Magnet High School to be named one of the district’s Teacher of the Year. In 2013, music and choir teacher Jacqueline Remillard Gorski received the same honor. This award is given to teachers who show initiative and impact their students with their powerful teaching methods.

“Mrs. Hicks is a critical teacher for our Algebra I students because she provides a solid beginning to higher level math,” Principal Deb Smith said. “Mrs. Hicks also teaches AP Calculus AB and BC, which is the highest level of math offered at our school. Mrs. Hicks is so skilled in this curriculum, as she is with Algebra I, that she can provide multiple ways of learning.”

Every year, 22 LAUSD teachers are named the Teacher of the Year award which is given to those who demonstrate a positive attitude and impact their students. They show initiative in their work and don’t give up on any student. By demonstrating these qualities, they show how much of an impact they make on their students.

“Every day, my students challenge me to grow,” Hicks said. “They say or do something I’ve never seen. They see problems differently, they struggle with stuff I didn’t think they would. Every time, I get something new.”