Dana's Hudson Is Teacher of the Year for all of OC

Capistrano Unified’s high school teacher of the year is now teacher of the year for all of Orange County.

Randy Hudson, a science teacher at Dana Hills High, was named one of five 2013 Orange County teachers of the year, according to a CUSD press release. He learned about the honor in a surprise announcement in front of his second period marine ecology students early Wednesday morning.

“I am not surprised that the Orange County Department of Education is recognizing Randy Hudson as one of the county’s best teachers,” Capo school board President John M. Alpay said. “We consistently hear from parents, students, and colleagues about his exceptional abilities as an educator.”

In fact, one of those parents, Timothy Gibbs, got up in front of the school board Wednesday night to thank the district for allowing Hudson to take his students on science field trip to Baja California.

With all the media reports of violence, Gibbs was a bit apprehensive. But when he served as a chaperone, all fears melted away as he saw the students learn and grow as people, he said.

Hudson began his career in 1999 as a science teacher at Dana, where he has taught marine ecology, biology, environmental science and oceanography. He has coached several nationally ranked science teams, including the 2013 National Ocean Science Bowl team that won seventh place at the national competition in April. Before education, Hudson worked as a lab technician, research diver and environmental consultant.

“Teaching is like woodworking,” Hudson wrote in his application. “We provide our students with the necessary tools to solve problems but we must also teach them how and when to use these tools effectively to complete their own “projects.”

You can watch him be surprised with the announcement that he was named Capo Unified’s teacher of the year here.