Maylén Sullivan, a high school French and Spanish teacher and district world languages instructional leader in Coronado Unified School District, has been selected as the 2026 California Language Teachers Association (CLTA) Teacher of the Year.
“Dr. Sullivan is a visionary educator whose commitment to equity, student voice, and high-impact instruction is transforming language education in California,” said Ronit Ron-Yerushalmi, CLTA president. “She combines passion, scholarship, and heart to elevate every student — whether they are discovering their first word in French or preparing for the AP Spanish literature exam. We are thrilled to honor her with this recognition.”
The CLTA Teacher of the Year award recognizes outstanding California world language educators who demonstrate excellence in teaching, leadership and service to the profession. Each year, CLTA honors one teacher whose work exemplifies the highest standards of language instruction and advocacy. Sullivan will now represent California in regional and national recognitions.
Sullivan currently serves as a world languages teacher on special assignment, where she supports K–12 teachers in designing framework-aligned curriculum, analyzing data to inform instruction, and building inclusive, proficiency-driven programs across Coronado Unified.
Known for crafting engaging, culturally rich units that connect students to real-world issues, Sullivan has led students through projects such as ocean conservation conferences, ethical debates on AI and reflections on migration and identity.
A graduate of Princeton and the Stanford Teacher Education Master’s Program (STEP), Sullivan holds a Ph.D. in leadership studies from the University of San Diego and has been a member of CLTA since 2013.
