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Saugus High Teach Jim Klipfel

Saugus High School Teacher, California Teacher Of The Year Celebrated In White House Ceremony

Jim Klipfel, a Santa Clarita educator and a California teacher of the year was honored alongside other state teacher finalists at a White House event.

Klipfel, a history teacher at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, was one of 100 state teachers of the year for 2020 and 2021 celebrated at the Council of Chief State School Officers 2020 and 2021 State and National Teachers of the Year Ceremony Monday.

“The national and state teachers of the year program is the most prestigious recognition program in our country,” said Jill Biden, an educator and the first lady of the United States, at the event. “So many teachers were submitted for consideration, and in a crowd of the most innovative, talented, compassionate and effective educators in our country, you — you all stood out.”

On top of teaching history, Klipfel also coaches swimming at Saugus High School.

In the past two years, the educator has faced multiple challenges including a school shooting, a major fire and the coronavirus pandemic.

See Related: Hart District Board Discusses COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates, Honors Saugus Teacher

His work within the William S. Hart Union School District and his positive impact on students and faculty through difficult times have led to his reception of multiple Teacher of the Year awards, according to officials.

Before being named California Teacher of the Year for 2020 and 2021, Klipfel was named Saugus Teacher of the year and a Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year. He was also nominated for National Teacher of the year.

“I am honored, humbled, and grateful that my time serving, challenging, and supporting young people has been recognized in a way that brings much deserved attention to the educators, students, and families of Saugus and the William S. Hart Union High School District,” Klipfel said in a past statement. “My fellow educators are heroic and inspiring professionals, and they deserve the broad recognition that comes with this honor.”

During the event, the first lady emphasized the positive impact teachers have on students and parents alike.

After she spoke, president Joe Biden praised the confidence teachers give their students, mentioning a professor who gave him the courage to run for senate.

“He had enough confidence in me that he gave me confidence in myself,” Biden said.

Like his wife, the president emphasized the impact teachers have.

“What you do really matters,” he said. “And it matters in a way I think you all don’t fully realize.”

The first lady took time to address the difficulties teachers faced in adapting to the pandemic, reworking lesson plans and logging long hours on the job.

“We don’t do this job because it’s easy,” she said. “We don’t do it because it brings us fame and fortune, that’s for sure. We do it because it’s more than a job. It’s a calling, isn’t it? It’s part of who we are.”


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Saugus High School Teacher, California Teacher Of The Year Celebrated In White House Ceremony

6 comments

  1. congratulations to Mr. Klipfil….it is refreshing to hear in a time of so much negative news

  2. Well deserved unbelievable teacher. Many thanks.

  3. Where are all the global warming complainers saying that’s a waste of resources & leaving a carbon footprint flying across the USA to get a plaque???
    Democrats are so damn hypocritical

  4. Let’s not go negative on this, please.

  5. Global warming is a worldwide concern, not claimed as a Democrat issue. But let’s stay with honoring this educator and not turn the conversation negative.

  6. Had the pleasure of being on the Saugus swim team under Mr. Klipfel for 3 years almost 15 years ago. Not only was he a great coach, but a great teacher and life mentor. He is big on personal responsibility and accountability and is efficient at making students learn to strive at whatever they are doing. Definitely deserves this award.

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About Zena Taher

Zena Taher moved to Santa Clarita when she was 12 years old. She has always been a voracious reader, which led her to take an interest in writing professionally. She graduated College of the Canyons in 2021 with a double major in journalism and communications and is currently attending California State University Northridge.