Lemoore High ag instructor earns top honor at annual ag conference

Moreno with former high school teacher and mentor Don Heintz.

Photo Contributed

On Wednesday night, during the annual awards’ banquet, Moreno, an ag teacher at Lemoore High for the past 11 years, was one of 10 high school ag teachers statewide to earn the “Teacher of Excellence Award.” His fellow instructors at Lemoore High School, Howard Clarke and Mary Beth Hearn, are also past recipients of the statewide honor.

“I’m very humbled to receive this honor this year as only 10 teachers from the state receive this award each year,” said Moreno who received the award with members of his family in attendance, including his wife Kirby, Grandmother Anna and father Marvin.

There are currently about 800 agriculture teachers in California and most of them were at the annual conference this week.

Moreno has also served as the FFA advisor for the past nine years. The Lemoore chapter is recognized as one of the largest and best in California.

Moreno, 36, is a Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo graduate and he received his award in the town in which he attended college. Also on hand with Moreno were his former high school ag teacher and mentor Don Heintz and form Cal Poly Professor Dr. Joe Sabol.

“I would compare this honor to being named the teacher of the year at Lemoore High School,” said Moreno. “It’s one of the biggest awards in the state, and to be one of 10 teachers in the state to get it, it’s a high honor.”