The Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) named Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) teacher Christine McLaughlin as a semifinalist in the LACOE Teacher of the Year competition Friday. McLaughlin was PUSD’s nominee in the annual competition that spotlights excellence in public education.

McLaughlin worked as an administrator and accounting manager for several nonprofits before pursuing her dream of becoming a teacher. She began her teaching career in 2007 teaching fifth grade at Webster Elementary School. She then moved to Blair Middle School where she taught sixth grade math and science and currently teaches seventh grade English language arts. She was previously named the 2013 PUSD Teacher of the Year, a 2013 Rotary Teacher of Excellence, a 2011 Pasadena Educational Foundation grant recipient and received the Star of Education Award from the Altadena chapter of the NAACP in 2008.

“My favorite thing about teaching is the kids,” said McLaughlin. “I try to foster a positive atmosphere where the students feel safe – safe to be corrected. I want them to know that if you make a mistake, learn from it and move on.”

McLaughlin is a graduate of PUSD’s Marshall Fundamental Secondary School. After high school she attended Pasadena City College focusing on general studies. She then earned a bachelor’s degree, an English language arts single subject credential, a multiple subject credential and a master’s in education from Azusa Pacific University.

“I wanted to work for PUSD so that I could say to my students ‘I was you,’” said McLaughlin. “I wanted to give back to my community and I hope students leave my classroom feeling like I really loved and cared about them.”

“Christine McLaughlin serves as a role model for district students as both a PUSD graduate and a caring and compassionate teacher,” said PUSD Superintendent Jon R. Gundry. “She is one of many outstanding teachers and staff that dedicate their lives to educating the students of Pasadena Unified.”

To view a video about Christine McLaughlin and see her at work in the classroom go to www.gopusd.com/outstandingstaff.