Laguna Beach Unified School District administrators and board trustees honored two Thurston Middle School teachers Jan. 14 for achieving advanced credentials.
Social studies teacher Carl Nelson and science instructor Ina Inouye Wu each earned certificates in November from the National Board Certification of Teachers. The credential is not required.
Nelson and Wu were among six Orange County teachers chosen for the distinction last year and the first from Laguna Beach Unified since art instructor Linda Erickson earned the honor in 2003, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards website said.
Statewide, 346 teachers earned the honor in 2014.
Nelson was hired at Thurston eight years ago. He always has a big smile, board member Theresa O'Hare said.
He also has a fun-loving attitude, Thurston Principal Jenny Salberg said.
"He is up for any dress-up day," she said. "Carl is inspirational to each sixth-grade student who passes through his class. He's made Thurston a better place each day he's been here."