LYNWOOD — From her childhood days of teaching Cabbage Patch Kids to more than two decades of inspiring students in English and theater at Marco Antonio Firebaugh High School, Kathleen Thomas Butiu has always been driven by a love for education.

The Lynwood Unified School District named Thomas Butiu its 2024-25 Teacher of the Year last month, recognizing her teaching, community involvement and dedication to student-centered learning.

“It feels incredible to be honored during Teacher Appreciation Week,” Thomas Butiu said. “To feel all this hard work not only impacted the students, their families and the community, but to also receive this recognition is amazing.”

Thomas Butiu was completing her final year at Walden University for a master’s degree in adolescent literacy and technology whe

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