Jodi Balma is OC’s Teacher of the Year
Political Science Professor Jodi Balma has been named an Orange County Teacher of the Year.
On April 29, Orange County Department of Education Superintendent Al Mijares joined a Zoom call with Orange County teachers, school officials and community members to congratulate Balma and five other teachers in Orange County who have “enlightened, encouraged and uplifted students during one of the most challenging years,” wrote the Orange County Department of Education.
Balma was selected as Fullerton College’s Teacher of the Year in March, after Balma rose to the top among her peers in the annual nomination process. This recognition made her eligible for the county’s recognition as well.
Jodi Balma has taught political science at Fullerton College for more than 20 years. Students say she has a gift for making others feel heard and validated, and her classes help them realize how their lives are impacted by the choices others are making, particularly at the local level.
“I have absolutely no interest in teaching my students what to think about politics,” she says. “I want to teach them how to think about politics in a critical, analytical manner regardless of their political party or ideology.”
