LOS BANOS, CA — Los Banos is celebrating one of its own this month as Kiersten Wood, a special education teacher at Henry Miller Elementary School, has been named the April 2025 Honored National Teaching Award recipient. Presented by the nonprofit Honored, the award recognizes exceptional educators nationwide who go above and beyond in changing students’ lives. Kiersten was nominated by the parents of one of her students, Payton, for her commitment, compassion, and lasting impact both in and out of the classroom.
Kiersten teaches a 1st–3rd grade Special Day Class for students with autism. Reflecting on her path into education, she shared, “When I first started college back in 2004, I had no intention of becoming a teacher. But my mom has been in education. She was in education my whole time growing up. I went to college originally to become a child life specialist. That kind of changed when I nannied for a little boy with autism. And that quickly became my passion.”
She went on to earn a degree in psychology and eventually a master’s in special education. After returning to Los Banos, she began teaching at Henry Miller and has remained in the same position for nine years. “As a teacher, there are good days, and there are tough days, but all of those good days definitely outweigh the tough days,” Kiersten said.
Her approach to teaching centers on empathy, connection, and understanding the unique needs of every child. “When you work with special needs kids, and especially children that have autism or are on the spectrum, they’re all different. They’re all very, very different children,” she explained. “Everything that you do for them is individualized. And so you really just love them.”
Kiersten’s classroom is more than just a place to learn — it’s a space where students feel safe and supported. “When parents send their kids to school every day, they expect that they’re going to be safe; they expect that they’re going to be loved. And if that’s all that I provide for them in that day, then I feel like I’ve done my job.”
Payton’s parents, Anthony and Samantha Ahumada, say Kiersten’s impact has been life-changing. “Our son, Payton, has been non-speaking, and he got to the point where he can communicate so much better in so many other areas,” Anthony said.
He added, “Kiersten’s really helped me understand how to understand my son and how to understand what autism is. And not just as a person but as a parent and as a father. It’s really helped me to be able to build that relationship with him.”
In addition to her work in the classroom, Kiersten has collaborated with the Ahumadas on inclusive community events. “A lot of the times in the community when you see Pancakes with Santa or ‘Let’s go Visit Santa,’ it’s very overwhelming even for neurotypical kids as well as these kiddos that we see that are on the spectrum or may have a different type of disability, it’s really tough for them to go to those,” she said.
They created sensory-friendly events so that all children, including those with disabilities and their siblings, could participate. “It was really nice for the community… People had expressed that there was never anything like that for them to come to.”
Kiersten also recognizes the deep trust families place in her. “I really have to build a relationship with them and make sure that not only do the parents trust me, but that the students trust me,” she said. “Because a lot of my kiddos, they don’t have language and they can’t go home and tell their mom or their dad or their aunt or their uncle or their grandparents, whoever’s raising them, this is what I did at school today.”
She gives credit back to families too. “Something that I like to always remind parents is that I do do a lot for these kids. And parents constantly give me credit for the progress that their kids have made. But something that I always try to remind parents is that without them, I couldn’t do what I do.”
For those considering a career in special education, Kiersten advises: “Not to give up. You’re always going to have hard days in education but I can promise the good days always outweigh the hard days… If you want to get into education, go volunteer at a school… or substitute teach. It can give you an idea if you want to get into that career path, and we always need substitute teachers.”
While she’s considered pursuing an administrative credential in the future, Kiersten says she’s exactly where she wants to be—right in the classroom.
Now in her ninth year of teaching, Kiersten still finds her greatest reward in seeing former students grow. “After 9 years, the best thing she experienced is running into prior students and their parents, and hearing their success stories. Seeing them, seeing how well they grew up and how well they are doing and knowing she had an impact on them.”
Her recognition as a national honoree is not just a personal achievement — it’s a moment of pride for the entire Los Banos community.
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