Meet LBUSD’s 2025 Teacher of the Year

At Nelson Academy, Jules Rodriguez, teacher of 8th-grade Accelerated Science and a multi-grade-level course titled Project Lead the Way, has been named Long Beach Unified’s 2025 Teacher of the Year. A visionary educator and relentless champion for students, she combines knowledge with a sense of belonging, purpose, and courage, inspiring students to imagine and achieve more for themselves.

From designing STEM programs that launch students into aerospace and engineering pathways to championing restorative practices that transform classrooms into sanctuaries of trust, Rodriguez embodies the essence of excellent teaching: rigorous, compassionate, and transformative.

A Career Built on Excellence and Innovation

Armed with degrees from the University of California, Riverside and the University of Redlands, Rodriguez has spent her career pushing boundaries in education. She has trained colleagues on equitable grading, restorative justice, and culturally responsive instruction, shaping classrooms and entire systems.

At Nelson Academy, her leadership has made a measurable impact: student CAST scores in science rose by 14%, the school hosted its first STEM Day, and student teams she coached earned awards at both the state and national levels. She also brought quarterly NASA live events to campus, giving students access to inspiring, real-world opportunities.

As a recognized curriculum writer, Rodriguez has designed District benchmarks, pacing guides, and equitable frameworks that have been adopted across multiple Districts. Her contributions have left a lasting mark on the educational landscape of Southern California.

A Champion for Students and Community

Rodriguez excels at building bridges between schools and families, students and opportunities, and education and community. She has connected her students with world-class professionals, from NASA scientists to internationally acclaimed artists, ensuring they experience opportunities many only dream about.

Her restorative practices and mentorship create a culture where every voice matters, diversity is celebrated, and mistakes are seen as opportunities for growth. Students know they are valued, and the result is a thriving environment where learning is alive and thriving.

From community service drives to local business collaborations, she ensures that students understand the power of giving back and embrace education as a tool for creating change.

Accolades and Recognition

Rodriguez has been named Technology Coach of the Year, nominated for National History Day State honors, and recognized for innovation in instruction and community service. She has presented at national conferences, contributed to professional publications, and inspired educators statewide through her leadership in associations such as NSTA and CASE.

A Legacy of Inspiration

Ask what drives her, and she’ll say it's her students. The young scholar who once doubted her place in advanced science went on to pursue engineering with confidence after a single conversation. Rodriguez believes in the power of listening, the necessity of equity, and the joy of seeing students discover who they are meant to be.

As Long Beach Unified celebrates her as the 2025 Teacher of the Year, we also celebrate the ripple effect of her work: the thousands of students she has inspired, the colleagues she has strengthened, and the community she has empowered.

Superintendent Dr. Jill Baker praised Rodriguez’s impact, saying, “Jules represents the very best of Long Beach Unified; an educator whose skill, heart, and vision transform classrooms and communities alike. Her ability to inspire students while advancing innovation and equity makes her an extraordinary role model for colleagues across the District. We are proud to celebrate her as our Teacher of the Year and grateful for the lasting contributions she continues to make for our students and families.”

Nelson Academy Principal Dr. Tanya Ennover added, “What makes Jules so effective is her ability to meet students where they are, academically and emotionally, and then take them further than they ever thought possible. Families often share how she builds confidence in their children and instills a sense of purpose that extends well beyond the classroom. Her influence is felt deeply across our community.” 

Congratulations, Jules Rodriguez, Long Beach Unified’s 2025 Teacher of the Year!