Wing Lane’s Kristen Weir Honored by LACOE as HLPUSD Teacher of the Year
![People standing in front of backdrop posing for a picture]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1790809090/hlpschoolsorg/txq5vsa1vadhzabvk9tu/KristenWeirHLPUSDTeacheroftheYear2026CroppedcourtesyWingLaneES.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1790809090/hlpschoolsorg/txq5vsa1vadhzabvk9tu/KristenWeirHLPUSDTeacheroftheYear2026CroppedcourtesyWingLaneES.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1790809090/hlpschoolsorg/txq5vsa1vadhzabvk9tu/KristenWeirHLPUSDTeacheroftheYear2026CroppedcourtesyWingLaneES.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1790809090/hlpschoolsorg/txq5vsa1vadhzabvk9tu/KristenWeirHLPUSDTeacheroftheYear2026CroppedcourtesyWingLaneES.png","width":983}])
Andy Inthavong
Kristen Weir, fifth grade teacher at Wing Lane Elementary School, was honored as Hacienda La Puente Unified School District’s 2026 Teacher of the Year during the Los Angeles County Office of Education’s (LACOE) annual Teachers of the Year Awards luncheon on Friday, September 25 in Universal City.
The luncheon brought together Teachers of the Year from school districts across Los Angeles County. Weir was celebrated at the event alongside other educators who’ve shown dedication, strong classroom instruction and a commitment to providing exemplary commitment to their students and institutions.
Weir has been teaching in the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District (HLPUSD) for 30 years, with a focus on relationships.
“My goal each year is to build authentic relationships with my students and to make sure every child feels seen and heard in my classroom,” Weir said. “I want to reach each student exactly where they are and be a support person and guide for them as they grow.”
The district announced Weir as its Teacher of the Year on April 1, and the news caught her off guard.
“I was truly shocked,” Weir said. “I never realized that the impact I was having on my students extended beyond the classroom. When they announced it on April 1st, I honestly thought it was an April Fool’s joke.”
Her recognition reflects HLPUSD’s commitment to creating meaningful learning experiences for all students in the district. For Weir, the honor reflects what she believes teaching is about.
“I am truly honored and humbled to represent Hacienda La Puente as Teacher of the Year,” she said. “This recognition means so much to me because teaching has always been about more than academics. It is about building relationships, supporting children, and letting them know they matter.”
Her recognition connects her to a long tradition of honoring teachers. The LACOE Teachers of the Year program is the largest of its kind in California and in the nation. For Weir, it is a celebration of 30 years spent helping students know they matter.
Wing Lane Elementary School serves students in transitional kindergarten through fifth grade. The school provides a supportive learning environment focused on students’ academic growth and development, with teachers and staff helping students build strong foundations for future learning.