FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LAGUNA BEACH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
CONTACT: ANAKAREN URENO
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT
949-497-7700 EXT. 5232

May 15, 2023

Laguna Beach High School teacher among 100 teachers honored by Disney Imagination Campus at Disneyland Resort

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. – Shelby Anderson, global studies and U.S. history teacher at Laguna Beach High School, is among 100 creative and imaginative teachers from across the country celebrated this month for the Disney Imagination Campus 100 Teachers Celebration at Disneyland Resort in California. The festivities took place ahead of Teacher Appreciation Week and included a celebratory moment in front of the Sleeping Beauty Castle, educational workshops and speakers.

The teachers, representing 39 states, were selected from more than 7,900 written applications centered on their innovation and creativity in their classrooms. They were honored by Disney Imagination Campus in a parade through Disneyland Park that included popular Disney characters and live entertainment.  

"I am a reenactor with the Women's Army Corps and preserve artifacts like newspapers, magazines, and other items so that students can touch, feel, and examine the artifacts and use them as primary sources in their learning," said Anderson. She continued, "When it comes to lessons in the classroom, I like to create a spark of inspiration in my students and give them the freedom to run with their curiosity through lessons that allow them to choose a topic of focus to research within the period we are studying." 

Anderson was one of 13 teachers from California selected for her innovation in the classroom, specifically for

how she has fostered a love of learning by bringing history to life and allowing students to imagine and experience life in the 1940s. Reenactments, private artifact collections, and connections to local museums provide students with tangible and authentic real-world history lessons that study the contributions of American heroes from all backgrounds. 

“Ms. Anderson is a teacher that regularly challenges students to learn from history. Through technology, awesome artifacts and innovation, Shelby helps all learners make great connections to past experiences,” said Laguna Beach High School Principal Jason Allemann, Ed.D. 

The parade was just one of the many highlights of the Disney Imagination Campus 100 Teachers Celebration. Throughout the weekend, the teachers were treated to behind-the-scenes experiences, an educational workshop, special entertainment opportunities and inspiring sessions led by Disney leaders. 

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