Announcing Our 2025-26 Teacher of the Year Winners!
This year, LunchLink is proud to recognize two extraordinary educators whose passion, dedication, and lasting impact on students and school communities truly stood out. From creating joyful classroom experiences to inspiring confidence, kindness, and learning every day, these teachers have made a meaningful impact on their students and school communities.
✨ Mrs. Margaret Haase ✨
Lake Ridge Academy
North Ridgeville, OH
LunchLink is delighted to celebrate Mrs. Margaret Haase, Kindergarten Teacher at Lake Ridge Academy, whose warmth, creativity, and extraordinary dedication have made Kindergarten a truly magical experience for her students and families alike.
From the moment students walk into her classroom, Mrs. Haase creates an environment filled with joy, encouragement, curiosity, and care. Whether she’s turning lessons about apples, worms, phonics, or counting into exciting adventures, or helping students learn the importance of kindness and compassion through her “fill buckets, don’t spill buckets” philosophy, she brings heart and purpose into everything she does.
Mrs. Haase has a remarkable ability to make every child feel safe, celebrated, and excited to learn. Her classroom is a place where students are encouraged to be themselves, work hard, think creatively, and support one another. She balances silliness with structure, warmth with wisdom, and creates memories her students will carry with them long after Kindergarten ends.
As nominator and parent Brook Escobedo shared:
“Mrs. Haase has made every day in Kindergarten a magical experience for my daughter. She has energy, patience, joy, and truly loves her students. My daughter doesn’t even like snow days or holidays because she misses seeing Mrs. Haase! We are so lucky to have her as a teacher.”
🎉 Congratulations, Mrs. Haase! 🎉
LunchLink is honored to celebrate the incredible impact Mrs. Haase makes through kindness, enthusiasm, and unwavering dedication to her students each and every day.
🌎Mrs. Maria Gomez-Sanchez🌎
Saint Ambrose Catholic School
Annandale, VA
LunchLink is also honored to recognize Mrs. Maria Gomez-Sanchez, PreK-4 and Kindergarten Spanish Immersion Teacher at Saint Ambrose Catholic School, for her exceptional dedication to her students, faith-filled leadership, and meaningful impact through bilingual education.
Mrs. Gomez-Sanchez creates a nurturing classroom environment where students feel encouraged, included, and excited to learn. Through engaging Spanish immersion instruction, she helps young learners build strong foundations in reading, writing, vocabulary, comprehension, and communication while fostering confidence, curiosity, and cultural appreciation.
Families especially value the thoughtful care and intentional communication Mrs. Gomez-Sanchez brings to her role. Her classroom reflects kindness, faith, structure, and connection, helping students grow not only academically, but socially and spiritually as well. Through her work, students gain valuable bilingual skills while learning the importance of compassion, community, and belonging.
As nominator and parent Douglas P. Harden shared:
“Mrs. Gomez-Sanchez represents the very best of Catholic education. She is caring, faith-filled, academically strong, and deeply devoted to her students and families. She helps children learn with joy, grow in confidence, and feel part of a loving school community.”
🎉 Congratulations, Mrs. Gomez-Sanchez! 🎉
LunchLink is proud to celebrate the inspiration, encouragement, and dedication Mrs. Gomez-Sanchez brings to her students and school community every day.
A Huge Thank You to Every Nominator!
We continue to be inspired by the heartfelt stories shared about educators who go above and beyond in so many ways. Every nomination reminded us just how much amazing teachers impact the lives of children and families every single day.
📣 Looking ahead
Nominations for our 2026-27 Teacher of the Year will open later this school year, and we can’t wait to hear more stories celebrating extraordinary educators!