Crystal Fennell named Humboldt County Teacher of the Year

Crystal Fennell’s sixth- through eighth-grade English Language Arts classroom at Stanwood A. Murphy Elementary School in Scotia just became Humboldt County’s latest example of what strong teaching can look like in a rural district. On June 5, Humboldt County Superintendent of Schools Michael Davies-Hughes named Fennell the 2026-27 Humboldt County Teacher of the Year.

Fennell has taught for 13 years in the Scotia Union School District, where she works with middle school students at a campus better known to many families as a small-community anchor than as a countywide spotlight. The recognition matters because it lifts a teacher whose work is tied to reading, writing and classroom connection in one of Humboldt County’s smaller towns, where a single educator can shape both academic habits and school culture.

Her selection came from the Humboldt County Office of Education’s Excellence in Teaching Awards, which honored five educators in May at the Sequoia Conference Center in Eureka. The five honorees had a combined 100 years of teaching experience, and more than 150 colleagues, friends and family members attended the ceremony. Along with Fennell, this year’s honorees were Amber Coley, Jennifer Harvey, Hope von Werlhof and Rachel Whitaker. The event also recognized Bernie Levy of Cal Poly Humboldt with the Jean Olson Career Achievement Award.

The county office says the Excellence in Teaching Award began in 1986 and is reserved for credentialed TK-12 classroom teachers who have shown personal qualities and professional expertise associated with exceptional teaching. Nominees must hold a California teaching credential and have at least five years of teaching experience. As Humboldt County Teacher of the Year, Fennell is now eligible to be considered for California State Teacher of the Year, which is traditionally announced in October.

In the county’s announcement, Fennell said she grew up believing in the power of relationships, storytelling and community, and said those values still guide her classroom work. Scotia School District Superintendent and Principal Amy Gossien described Fennell as a teacher known for enthusiasm, creativity and a genuine desire to make a positive impact, saying she instills a love of learning that extends beyond the classroom.

The honor also fits into a longer Humboldt County tradition. Pam Brittenburg-Andersen of Alice Birney Elementary School held the 2025-26 county Teacher of the Year title, and past honorees include Joe Kencke. This year’s Day of the Teacher celebration also drew support from students in Fortuna High School culinary arts, Eureka High School agriculture and floral classes, and other career technical education programs, turning the awards into a countywide salute to public education rather than a single-school ceremony.