Nicholas and Spalding were recognized at the 2026 Spirit of San Juan Awards in May and will be representing San Juan Unified at the Sacramento County Office of Education’s 2027 Teacher of the Year competition. Photo courtesy of San Juan Unified School District

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Each day, students enter classrooms across San Juan Unified School District, where they are met with high-quality education, safe environments and new opportunities. The foundation of these classrooms is our teachers.

With years of experience, teachers support our mission to create supportive learning experiences for all students to excel and thrive. 

Over a decade ago, Angela Nicholas and Angela Spalding began their teaching careers at Thomas Edison Language Institute together. This year, they are both recognized as San Juan Unified’s 2027 Teachers of the Year. 

Though their journeys have taken them in different directions, both have made lasting impacts through their leadership, advocacy and unwavering commitment to students.

Delivering the best for her students

For Angela Nicholas, teaching first became an area of interest when she volunteered in her daughter’s classroom at Cambridge Heights Elementary School. 

“My daughter had some learning disabilities,” she shared. “Finding ways to support her was very intriguing to me. Being in the classroom with the kids and helping them, it felt very natural.”

Balancing a full-time job, school, student teaching and parenting, Nicholas pursued her dream of becoming a teacher with determination and purpose. Looking back, she describes her journey as deeply rewarding.

As a second-grade teacher at Carmichael Elementary School, Nicholas has been able to connect her love for science, nature and teaching. 

“Being a biology major originally, I have this connection with nature,” shared Nicholas. “I love this campus. I wanted the kids to have that connection because they live here in Carmichael, the American River is just down the road.”

Through the creation of the Eco Cubs Ecology Club, Nicholas has helped students develop a deeper appreciation for environmental stewardship while building confidence outside the classroom. With her guidance, students have participated in Sacramento's Nature Bowl competition, applying their science knowledge in a collaborative and engaging setting.

Even after 12 years of service, Nicholas continues to seek ways to strengthen her practice and better serve her students. 

“It’s a very evolving career. You never get the same class twice, you never get the same group of students twice, all of their needs are different,” she said. “Being able to help them and solve those problems and find what works for them is my inspiration.”

Nicholas’ dedication extends beyond her classroom and shines through her leadership. 

At Carmichael Elementary, she served as a leader on the school’s leadership team and School Site Council. At the district level, she serves as a mentor to new teachers and has participated in professional development opportunities by sharing new strategies and resources in math and science.

As she prepares to transition from the classroom to a new role as a TK-5 math Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA), she looks forward to supporting even more students and educators across the district.

Helping her students see themselves

Angela Spalding first joined San Juan Unified as a bilingual instructional assistant (BIA) and worked at several schools before finding what she describes as her forever home at Thomas Edison Language Institute as a fourth-grade dual-immersion teacher.

“I started touring the school, and I got to see a classroom, and they were speaking Spanish,” she recalled. “That’s when my heart stopped.”

Her passion for multicultural education stems from her personal experience as an English Learner (EL) student. 

Spalding understands the challenges of learning another language while adapting to a new environment. Those experiences continue to shape how she supports her students today, helping them build confidence while embracing their identities and cultures.

“It’s that awareness of their heritage and their culture and helping them understand that we do belong here, that what we bring is valuable,” Spalding said.

She also places a strong emphasis on building relationships with families, recognizing the important role they play in student success. Through trust, communication and partnership, she helps foster a school community where students and families feel welcomed and supported.

“A successful way of connecting with the community is when you make yourself available,” shared Spalding. “We are that leader in our community. To have those answers and be able to direct them in the right direction, to me it's huge.”

Throughout the year, she actively seeks donations and resources to support classroom experiences and enrichment opportunities. Through those efforts, she helps ensure students can participate in educational field trips and activities that create lasting memories and expand their learning beyond the classroom.

While their paths have taken them to different schools and roles, both educators share a commitment to creating opportunities for students, fostering belonging and supporting the success of their school communities.

For both Nicholas and Spalding, the recognition extends beyond their individual work and reflects the collective efforts of the staff, students, families and school communities they serve.

Nicholas and Spalding were recognized at the 2026 Spirit of San Juan Awards in May and will be representing San Juan Unified at the Sacramento County Office of Education’s 2027 Teacher of the Year competition.