Horace Mann Elementary fourth-grade teacher Ellen Kwon was honored at the Los Angeles County Office of Education's (LACOE) 45th annual Teachers of the Year celebration on Friday, Sept. 25, at the Universal Hilton Hotel.

Kwon was one of 72 teachers representing school districts across LA County at the ceremony, the Beverly Hills Standard reported. The county-level recognition caps a standout year for the veteran educator, who received a 2026 Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) Apple Award in March.

Superintendent Alex Cherniss, who hired Kwon when she joined the district in 2005, attended the Sept. 25 event alongside her family and colleagues. Assistant Superintendent Dustin Seemann and Horace Mann Principal Steven Suttle also joined the celebration.

"Twenty-one years ago, I had the privilege of hiring Ellen at Hawthorne School, and I still remember the energy, intelligence, and enthusiasm she brought to our team," Cherniss said in a district announcement on Tuesday, Sept. 29.

Kwon started at BHUSD as a seventh-grade English language arts teacher at Hawthorne School. Over 21 years, she has taught at four district campuses: Hawthorne, El Rodeo Elementary, Beverly Vista Middle and Horace Mann.

Her work has stretched well beyond the classroom. She served as El Rodeo's student council lead advisor, coached Science Olympiad and led the middle school volleyball team at Beverly Vista. At Horace Mann, she advises the yearbook and provides high-impact tutoring to help students reach grade-level expectations.

She also sits on the district's Literacy Committee.

The LACOE Teachers of the Year program is the largest of its kind in the state, according to BHUSD. The selection process included essay and lesson plan submissions, evidence of innovative teaching practices and interviews, according to the South Pasadenan's coverage of the ceremony. Sixteen finalists from the 72 honorees advance to the state-level California Teacher of the Year competition.

Kwon's Apple Award, one of 11 given districtwide in 2026, was celebrated at a May 21 ceremony at Beverly Canon Gardens. The Beverly Hills Education Foundation organized the event after reviving the awards following a nearly decade-long hiatus.

Board of Education President Judy Manouchehri said in the March 25 Apple Award announcement that the honorees represent the district's best.