Northwood High School music teacher Ben Case has been named one of five California Teachers of the Year for 2023. The California Department of Education made the announcement that Case had received the state’s top honor for elementary and secondary school educators on Thursday.
Case, was also named a 2022 Orange County Teacher of the Year and IUSD’s 2022 High School Teacher of the Year. Additionally in 2015 he was a GRAMMY Teacher of the Year semifinalist.
Among his many accomplishments, he has helped grow Northwood High’s instrumental musical program, which is now one of the largest in the state. The school boasts nearly 800 students in the band and orchestra program, including more than 120 musicians in one of Northwood’s four Jazz Ensembles. Such high levels of participation is virtually unheard of in high school.
“Ben’s passion for music results in full classes year after year, and draws students to Northwood High School to be a part of his program,” said Brad Van Patten, Director of Arts IUSD. “The energy and communication he brings to the stage as a conductor leave no doubt as to why our high school musicians want and love to be involved in his program.”
For the last 15 years, Case has organized IUSD’s Band Spectacular, an exciting mega concert in which marching bands from all five comprehensive high schools join forces to demonstrate the power and spectacle of performative art.
“Ben cares so much about his students,” said Northwood High School Principal Dr. Leslie Roach. “He takes the time to get to know each and every one of his students, which is why he gets the best out of them.”
Hailed as “ambassadors for the profession,” the 2023 California Teachers of the Year were announced by State Superintendent Tony Thurmond.
Thurmond said that the five selected educators received this prestigious honor for heir extraordinary talents and efforts to teach young people in California during historically challenging circumstances. He said in a statement, “Using their exceptional skills, creativity and experience, they continue to create positive learning environments and make meaningful contributions to the academic and social–emotional needs of their students.”
County offices of education annually nominate California Teachers of the Year candidates through county-level competitions. Their applications for state recognition are then reviewed by a California Department of Education committee, which, in addition to interviewing each nominee, evaluates their rapport with students, classroom environments, presentation skills and instructional techniques.
The state superintendent selects the final five California Teachers of the Year and one National Teacher of the Year contender.
More information about the awards program can be found on the CDE’s California Teachers of the Year webpage.