The Fallbrook Union Elementary School District (FUESD) proudly announces Yessica Angulo of Mary Fay Pendleton Elementary School as the 2026 FUESD Teacher of the Year and Naomi Delgado of Potter Junior High School as the 2026 FUESD Employee of the Year.
Each year, the beginning of spring marks an exciting time across the district as FUESD celebrates its outstanding educators and staff members. Teacher and Employee of the Year nominations are made at every school and district office, with individuals selected by their peers in recognition of their dedication, professionalism, and impact on students and the school community.
From those school-level honorees, a district committee reviews nominations and selects one teacher and one classified employee to represent the entire district.
Teacher of the Year: Yessica Angulo – Mary Fay Pendleton Elementary School
Yessica Angulo, a 5th-grade teacher at Mary Fay Pendleton Elementary, has dedicated 18 years to FUESD, including the past 16 years at Mary Fay, where she continues to inspire students and colleagues through her commitment to academic excellence and student growth.
Being named Teacher of the Year at both the school and district level is deeply meaningful to Angulo.
“This recognition is incredibly humbling,” Angulo shared. “It reminds me why I chose this profession. Teaching is truly a collaborative effort, and this honor reflects not only my work but the support and inspiration I’ve received from colleagues, administrators, students, and families throughout the years.”
Angulo credits her students as her greatest source of motivation. Each day, she strives to create a classroom environment where students feel safe to ask questions, take risks, and grow both academically and personally.
One moment this year reaffirmed her passion for teaching. After overcoming academic struggles, one of her students proudly completed an assignment and declared, “I did it, I CAN do hard things.”
“Seeing that sense of pride and confidence in a student is incredibly meaningful,” Angulo said. “Moments like that remind me that teaching is about more than academics — it’s about helping students believe in themselves.”
Mary Fay Pendleton Principal Brian Frost praised Angulo’s dedication to both her students and the broader school community, noting her ability to foster strong partnerships with families, including many military families who are part of the Mary Fay community.
Employee of the Year: Naomi Delgado – Potter Junior High School
Naomi Delgado, who serves as a key member of the office team at Potter Junior High, has spent more than two decades serving the Fallbrook education community, beginning her career as a substitute teacher in 2001 before transitioning into roles in Human Resources and eventually joining Potter Junior High.
For Delgado, the recognition is deeply personal.
“It feels really nice to be recognized because it means I’ve made as much of an impact on others as they’ve had on me,” Delgado said. “My colleagues feel like family. We’ve supported each other through so many moments in education, including the challenges of 2020 and 2021, and I’m incredibly proud of the resilience and dedication of our profession.”
Born and raised in Fallbrook, Delgado sees her work as a way to give back to the community that helped shape her.
“It’s an honor to serve the same community that supported me growing up,” she said. “The educators, coaches, mentors, and leaders who invested in me are not forgotten. Any positive contributions I make today are a reflection of what they taught me.”
Potter Junior High Principal Dr. Alejandro Gonzalez described Delgado as an irreplaceable part of the school community.
“Naomi is the kind of employee every school hopes to have — dependable, professional, and always anticipating what students, families, and staff need,” Gonzalez said. “She doesn’t just do her job — she elevates everyone around her.”
He added that Delgado’s deep connection to the district makes her impact even more meaningful.
“She grew up in FUESD and has now spent more than 20 years serving the district that raised her. Students and families aren’t just walking into an office — they’re being welcomed by someone who truly understands this community.”
The Teacher and Employee of the Year program highlights the extraordinary individuals who help shape the culture of excellence across FUESD schools. Through their dedication, compassion, and leadership, Angulo and Delgado exemplify the values that guide the district’s mission to support student success and strengthen the Fallbrook community.
FUESD congratulates all school-level nominees and honorees who continue to make a lasting difference in the lives of students and families across the district.