Ventura County Teacher Of The Year

Friday May 19, 2023

     Ventura County's 2023 Teacher of the Year is a veteran educator at Newbury Park High School.

     Debbie Dogancay has been teaching at the school for 22 years.

     She teaches 11th and 12th grade chemistry and also is the longtime student government advisor.

     Officials with the Ventura County Office of Education surprised her with the honor on Friday.

     In addition to teaching and advising students at Newbury Park High, Dogancay also leads professional development workshops for other educators.

     She says initially she did not intend to make teaching a long term career but changed her mind when she saw every year brings new challenges and new opportunities to make a difference for students.

     As the 2023 Ventura County Teacher of the Year, Dogancay is now in the running for California Teacher of the Year.