When students walk into Daniel Pilchman's classroom at Woodbridge High School in Irvine, they don't just learn about manufacturing and product design. They get to build electric guitars with their own hands. Meanwhile, at La Vista High School in Fullerton, Al Rabanera is helping students discover that algebra isn't just about numbers on a page, but a tool for understanding the real world around them.

These two passionate educators, both graduates of Cal State Fullerton, are being celebrated with 2025 Outstanding STEM Educator Awards from the Orange County Department of Education. The recognition, presented in partnership with Cox Communications and UC Irvine, honors their dedication to making science, technology, engineering, and mathematics come alive for their students.

Pilchman received the Outstanding Career Awareness Educator Award for his innovative approach to career technical education. With a unique background that includes a doctorate in philosophy from UC Irvine and credentials from CSUF, he's currently pursuing a master's degree in transformative teaching in secondary education at Cal State Fullerton. His teaching philosophy centers on project-based learning that prepares students not just for college, but for meaningful careers where they can create and innovate.

The impact of his work extends far beyond the classroom. Pilchman founded his school's makerspace program, serves as adviser to the SkillsUSA and Society for Women Engineers student clubs, and was named his district's 2024 Teacher of the Year. He views the recent award as recognition of a collaborative effort. "This is an opportunity to bring attention to the importance of college and career readiness education and to the value that community engagement can bring to schools," he shared warmly.

Rabanera, who teaches at La Vista High School, an alternative school serving students with unique needs, brings 22 years of teaching experience to his algebra classroom. He earned his master's degree in secondary education from CSUF in 2007 and later completed a doctorate in educational leadership from USC. For him, this Outstanding K-12 STEM Educator Award represents something deeply meaningful.

"STEM education is about helping students see themselves as capable problem-solvers, creative thinkers and contributors to their communities," Rabanera explained. His mission to "humanize STEM education" has earned him recognition throughout his career, including being named Fullerton Joint Union High School District's 2014 Teacher of the Year and the College of Education's 2018 Distinguished Alumni of the Year.

The Ripple Effect: The success of these two educators demonstrates how Cal State Fullerton continues to shape education across Orange County and beyond. As the largest university in the California State University system and Orange County's only CSU campus, CSUF is recognized nationally for supporting first-generation and underrepresented students. By preparing passionate educators like Pilchman and Rabanera, the university creates waves of positive change that reach thousands of young learners.

Both teachers exemplify how dedicated educators can transform students' relationships with STEM subjects, opening doors to futures filled with possibility. Their innovative approaches prove that when teachers combine expertise with genuine care for students, everyone wins. These award-winning educators aren't just teaching subjects. They're inspiring the next generation of innovators, problem-solvers, and community leaders.