Marc Vankeuren of Twin Rivers Unified School District has been named a 2025 Sacramento County Teacher of the Year. Photo courtesy of Twin Rivers Unified School District

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Twin Rivers Unified is proud to announce that Marc Vankeuren, Ph.D., has been named a 2025 Sacramento County Teacher of the Year. This is the third time in recent years (2020, 2021 and 2025) that an educator from Twin Rivers Unified has received this prestigious honor. The Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) made the announcement at its Aug. 23 countywide teacher recognition and awards ceremony.

Vankeuren teaches AP Physics, AP Environmental Science and Physics of the Universe at Grant Union High School. This distinguished award highlights Vankeuren’s relentless passion for education, his innovative and dynamic teaching methods, and his extraordinary ability to inspire and transform his students’ lives. He has been at Grant for eight years. This past school year, three of his students were featured in a three-part video series on how sea levels and our future may be impacted by climate change and Thwaites “Doomsday” Glacier in Antarctica. The glacier is closely monitored for its potential to elevate sea levels. The students assisted in scientific investigations alongside renowned climate scientists, including a Nobel Prize winner. Some of the filming took place at Grant.

“It was an honor being recognized as a Teacher of the Year with all of the other fantastic educators from different districts,” said Vankeuren. “Even more unbelievable—to be named a Sacramento County Teacher of the Year. It is evident that every teacher at that event has made a substantial impact on the lives of their students, and that their talent spans classrooms all around Sacramento. I hope to continue my goal of bringing outside resources, programs, and opportunities into my classroom so that students can view their work as meaningful. They will continue to monitor our local water quality, participate in scientific outreach collaborations, and create science education videos that reach learners of all ages. Their passion to look beyond the classroom will contribute to the betterment of their community and environment.”

As a 2025 Sacramento County Teacher of the Year, Vankeuren is now eligible to advance to the statewide competition where five teachers will be selected as California Teachers of the Year. This tremendous achievement not only highlights his exceptional talent and unwavering commitment, but also serves as a proud moment for all of us in Twin Rivers Unified School District.