Marylou Escobar, a kindergarten Spanish dual language immersion teacher at John Muir Elementary School, has been selected as Glendale Unified School District’s 2025 Teacher of the Year. Escobar will represent the District at this year’s Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year competition.

Escobar has been an educator for nearly 40 years. In addition to being an exceptional academic leader, she is known for her warmth, dedication and the joyful learning environment she creates for her students.

“Ms. Escobar embodies the meaning of a loving kindergarten teacher. Her enthusiasm for the teaching profession is contagious,” said Muir Elementary School Principal Viehanoosh Nazarian. “She always puts students first, starting every morning with smiles and hugs. Her classroom is full of rich language instruction as she works tirelessly to ensure her students learn Spanish in the most effective way possible.”

“Ms. Escobar is a beloved teacher whose passion for education is felt by every student who walks into her classroom,” said Glendale Unified Board of Education President Shant Sahakian. “Her dedication to fostering a nurturing, bilingual learning environment has made a lasting impact on the Muir community and exemplifies the very best of our District’s educators.”

“Ms. Escobar is a passionate educator who brings energy, compassion, expertise and love to her classroom every single day,” said Glendale Unified Superintendent Dr. Darneika Watson. “She represents the heart of early childhood education and is a shining example of the impact a caring teacher can have on young learners.”

Glendale Unified School District selects one outstanding educator to advance to the Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year competition each year. Administrators and educators submit nominees from across the District. Selections typically alternate between elementary and secondary teachers.