Educators in Menifee and Moreno Valley Named Final Two 2027 Riverside County Teachers of the Year

MENIFEE, MORENO VALLEY – Two teachers with a combined 60 years of faithfully educating students were surprised to learn they are the final 2027 Riverside County Teachers of the Year and will represent Riverside County in the 2027 California Teacher of the Year competition later this year.

On Thursday, June 4, 2026, a cleverly planned school assembly at Sally Buselt Elementary School in the Menifee Union School District, and an impromptu visit to the Vista Del Lago High School Performing Arts Center in the Moreno Valley Unified School District, led to the announcements from Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin Gomez. At both events, students, staff, family, district leaders, and elected officials joined the celebrations.

The first two 2027 Riverside County Teachers of the Year were named in a surprise visit to the Desert Sands Unified School District classroom of Nanette (Nan) Davis-Kirchhevel on May 21 and Pedro Juarez in Beaumont Unified School District on May 27. All four teachers of the year will represent Riverside County in the 2027 California Teacher of the Year competition and be spotlighted at the 2027 Celebrating Educators Luncheon at the Riverside Convention Center on May 4, 2027.

About Lesley Stevens

“In her 38 years of teaching, Mrs. Stevens has become a nationally recognized instructional leader who is a champion for innovative math lessons, has trained more than 150 educators, and is deeply connected to the community through grant writing and partnerships,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin Gomez during the day’s first surprise visit of the morning. “She expands local history for students with museum visits, native plant projects, and hands-on learning experiences.”

“This school is such a special place, and I love coming to work here every day,” Lesley Stevens said to the hundreds of students and colleagues gathered for the assembly after the announcement. “I’m happy to represent all of you, and I just can’t thank you enough for making this an amazing place to be.”

Since Lesley Stevens started teaching in 1988, her philosophy of teaching has only become clearer: When students feel valued, curious, and challenged, they become active participants in their own learning.

Beyond her third grade classroom at Sally Buselt Elementary School, she has served as a collaborative coach, induction mentor, curriculum designer, and professional development leader in the Menifee Union School District since 1993. She trains teachers on various reading and language acquisition strategies and develops “History in a Box” kits for teachers to help students learn about their community through her involvement with the Menifee Valley Historical Association (MVHA) where she also serves on the board.

Lesley’s colleagues describe her as a “teacher of teachers” who “reflects a rare combination of longevity and sustained innovation, leaving a measurable impact on student achievement.”

Lesley received her bachelor’s degree in history and two teaching credentials from the University of California, Riverside. She earned a master’s degree in reading and language arts from California State University, San Bernardino. She is a resident of Menifee.

About John Francis

“Mr. Francis is an amazing educator who gives the best of himself to his students with compassion and dedication,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin Gomez during the second surprise visit of the day. “Mr. Francis builds meaningful relationships with students who may feel disconnected from school. He not only helps them earn credits, but he also mentors and guides them toward graduation.”

“I greatly appreciate this surprise. The incredible students and staff I work with are a huge part of why I do this,” John Francis said immediately following the surprise announcement. “The students bring an energy to the room that I am giving back to them in return, so I can help them find that path to success they may not have initially seen.”

As a newspaper reporter and editor for nearly 20 years, John Francis authored stories about education and eventually jumped at the chance to rewrite the future for students as a reading intervention teacher at Vista Del Lago High School—a role he has thrived in over the last two decades.

In John’s English and Reading Intervention classroom in the Moreno Valley Unified School District, he works with students to help them believe in themselves even when their self-belief is lacking. His philosophy of teaching hinges on the idea that literacy is access, and access changes lives. Students enter his classroom reading below grade level, but soon exit with upgraded literacy skills and restored confidence, which fuels students’ agency, dreams, and educational possibilities.

John’s colleagues describe him as “a radiant, encouraging presence” and having an impact that “could be measured in test scores, but those numbers would miss the character growth that goes along with them.”

John earned an associate’s degree from Rio Hondo College, a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Fresno, and two master’s degrees in education from the University of Phoenix. He is a resident of

Recent Riverside County teachers selected as California Teachers of the Year include:

• 2025 – Robert (Bob) Mauger, Corona High School, Corona-Norco USD
• 2022 – Nichi Aviña, Cielo Vista Charter School, Palm Springs USD
• 2021 – Keisa Brown, University Heights Middle School, Riverside USD, and Allison Cyr, Lyndon B. Johnson Elementary School, Desert Sands USD
• 2020 – Brenda Chavez-Barreras, Good Hope Elementary School, Perris ESD
• 2019 – Dr. Angel Mejico, El Cerrito Middle School, Corona-Norco USD
• 2018 – Dr. Brian McDaniel, Painted Hills Middle School, Palm Springs USD
• 2017 – Shaun Bunn, Ethan A. Chase Middle School, Romoland School District
• 2016 – Michelle Cherland, Carrillo Ranch Elementary School, Desert Sands USD
• 2014 – Jessica Pack, James Workman Middle School, Palm Springs USD

The Riverside County Teachers of the Year are selected from nearly 20,000 educators in the county. The rigorous application process requires candidates to spend time reflecting on, and carefully defining, their teaching philosophy. The county teachers of the year are selected on the basis of nominations by teachers, principals, and school district administrators throughout the county. Applications are then submitted to the Riverside County Office of Education, where a selection committee reviews the applications of each district candidate and selects semi-finalists. The selection committee then conducts interviews and site visits to select the final four candidates before the county superintendent announces the Riverside County Teachers of the Year.