California Department of Education selects National University core adjunct faculty member Cuny to
represent California in the National Teacher of the Year competition
SAN DIEGO, CA (December 7, 2023) — National University (NU) — a nonprofit Minority Serving
Institution that serves more than 130,000 learners annually through its degree and professional training
programs — announced that Casey Cuny, National University core adjunct faculty member, and Valencia
High School teacher in the William S. Hart Union School District, has been named one of the five county
K-12 California Teachers of the Year by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond
representing Los Angeles County. Further, Thurmond nominated Cuny to represent California in the
National Teacher of the Year competition, when Cuny will compete against other state nominees for
National Teacher of the Year and meet President Joe Biden and the U.S. Secretary of Education in
Washington, D.C. early next spring.
“We believe deeply that inspired, caring, and talented teachers have the power to not only change lives,
but the world as well,” said Dr. Mark D. Milliron, president and CEO of National University. “We offer
our sincerest congratulations to Casey and applaud his dedication to fostering powerfully positive
learning environments for students and future educators.”
Each year, the California Department of Education invites county offices of education, school districts,
charter schools, professional organizations, and private schools statewide to participate in the California
Teachers of the Year Program, a process that culminates in the National Teacher of the Year program.
Cuny, the first NU core adjunct faculty member to earn this recognition, joins a distinguished list of NU
alum to have received the state’s highest honor for teachers. “Congratulations to Cuny on this
prestigious national recognition,” said Dr. Robert Lee, dean of the Sanford College of Education (SCOE)
at National University. “Cuny excels in innovative SEL teaching and learning practices as demonstrated
by the exemplary feedback from his colleagues and students. We are fortunate to have such a
distinguished educator at NU making a huge impact on future teachers.”
Cuny, a highly regarded Valencia High School teacher, is also a dedicated and innovative university
educator in NU’s Sanford College of Education (SCOE) Global Innovation, Social Emotional Learning, &
Educational Technology Department. SCOE is a top provider of teaching credentials in CA, and a top
provider of teaching credentials for starting educators in the U.S. Further, SCOE is at the forefront of
global innovation, social emotional learning, and educational technology. Social emotional learning (SEL)
enhances student learning by weaving together academics with social emotional learning practices and
pedagogies. For the last three years, Cuny has taught courses in NU’s Master of Arts in Social Emotional
Learning (MASEL) program, distinguishing himself as a leader and valued expert in the SEL community.
Over the last 13 years, Cuny has shared his teaching passion with NU students in education courses such
as methods, assessment literacy, and technology integration for educators.
“I am so fortunate that I have been able to teach over 120 courses and over 1,500 educators from all
over the country in my time at NU. I envision all the kids each educator will work with, and it inspires me
to do my very best,” Cuny said. “We all know the best way to learn is to teach. I am so grateful for the
opportunity I have had at NU working in assessment literacy, and now in the MASEL program, which has
proven to be a transformative experience for myself both as a teacher and as a person. SEL is the most
ethical approach to teaching, and the synergy of focusing on academic, social, and emotional
intelligences together pushes students to levels of rigor not possible without the concerted approach.”
About National University
National University, a veteran-founded nonprofit, has been dedicated to meeting the needs of hard-
working adults by providing accessible, affordable higher education opportunities since 1971. As San
Diego’s largest private nonprofit university, NU offers over 190+ online and on-campus programs with
flexible four-week and eight-week classes and one-to-one graduate education models designed to help
students reach their goals while balancing busy lives. Since its founding, the NU community has grown
to 130,000 learners served per year—50,000 degree-seeking students and 80,000 workforce and
professional development students—and 230,000 alumni around the globe, many of whom serve in
helping industries such as business, education, health care, cybersecurity, and law and criminal justice.
To learn more about National University’s new possibilities in education including next-generation
education, credential-rich education, and whole human education, visit NU.edu.