FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LAGUNA BEACH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
CONTACT: ANAKAREN UREÑO
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT
949-497-7700 EXT. 5232 | AURENO@LBUSD.ORG

August 14, 2026

El Morro teacher Kathleen Margaretich named 2026 Outstanding K–12 STEM Educator

Orange County Department of Education recognizes Margaretich among 11 educators and community leaders

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. — El Morro Elementary School teacher Kathleen Margaretich has been named a 2026 Outstanding K–12 STEM Educator by the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE).

Margaretich is among 11 Orange County educators and community leaders selected for the 2026 Outstanding STEM Educator Awards, which recognize individuals expanding opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. Honorees were selected through a competitive nomination and review process by a panel of educators and community leaders.

At El Morro, Margaretich leads hands-on science learning for students from transitional kindergarten through fifth grade. Through weekly science lab experiences, students engage in Next Generation Science Standards-aligned lessons designed to make scientific concepts tangible through exploration and experimentation.

Those experiences range from building marshmallow catapults and programming miniature robots to creating fossil molds, exploring marine mammal adaptations, and experimenting with solar energy. The hands-on approach gives students opportunities to explore scientific concepts while developing skills in engineering, coding, and problem-solving.

"Mrs. Margaretich is an extraordinary educator who brings her passion, expertise, and energy into the classroom every day,” said El Morro Elementary Principal Julie Hatchel, Ed.D. She continued, “She brings science to life, applying abstract concepts to concrete experiences for our students." 

The Orange County Department of Education, in partnership with Inside the Outdoors, recognized Margaretich and the other honorees during the 2026 Outstanding STEM Educators Awards Celebration on Aug. 4 at the department’s Conference Center in Costa Mesa.

“Together, these extraordinary educators are doing more than teaching STEM; they are inspiring the next generation of innovators, problem-solvers, and leaders who will shape the future of our communities,” said Trish Walsh, OCDE’s director of Academic Content and Instructional Support.

To learn more about the Laguna Beach Unified School District, visit www.lbusd.org. Stay connected by following @LagunaBeachUSD on Instagram and subscribing to the district newsletter (www.lbusd.org/itsawrap) for the latest news and updates.

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