Dallas Ipach, who has dedicated his career to teaching students who face significant social, emotional, and behavioral challenges, has been named the 2025 Teacher of the Year for schools operated by the Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE). Mr. Ipach will now have the opportunity to compete for the Ventura County Teacher of the Year award, which is accepting nominations until May 2.
Mr. Ipach found out he was being honored this morning during a surprise visit to VCOE’s Gateway Community School in Camarillo. He walked into a conference room to find his family and colleagues waiting for him, along with Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools. Also on hand to break the good news were Associate Superintendent of Student Services Dr. Consuelo Hernandez Williams, Director of Alternative Education Stefanie Rodriguez, Executive Director of Student Services Holly Minear, and Gateway Community School Assistant Principal Linda Stevens.
Mr. Ipach has been with VCOE for 21 years, teaching at Gateway Community School and Providence School in the Ventura County Juvenile Facility. He’s currently the Lead Teacher at Gateway, heads the RESET intervention program, and serves as chair of Gateway’s School Attendance Review Board, which is focused on reducing student absenteeism.
Gateway serves students who have been expelled or referred by their local schools due to behavioral issues. The school has a successful record of helping students get back on track, with nearly all Gateway seniors earning their high school diplomas in recent years. “I believe every young person has potential, especially those who face the greatest obstacles,” Mr. Ipach said. “I make it my mission to help them unlock that potential.”
Gateway Community School administrators say Mr. Ipach is a key part of the school’s success, calling him an innovator who truly engages students. “He takes the time to learn about the individuals' needs, including their rehabilitation plan, showing genuine interest in the students' success,” said Assistant Principal Stevens. “This proactive approach has made a significant impact as students begin at Gateway.”
One of Mr. Ipach’s students, an eleventh grader at Gateway, said, “Mr. Ipach changed my perspective on school and life. Through his support, I felt safe expressing myself, and his guidance has helped me maintain a more positive outlook on life. For the first time, I felt like a teacher saw me for my potential rather than focusing on my past mistakes.”
Mr. Ipach collaborates closely with VCOE’s partners, such as the Ventura County Probation Agency, Ventura County Public Health, the Ventura County District Attorney's office, and local school districts. “Teachers like Mr. Ipach are wonderful role models,” said Superintendent Morales. “By actively engaging his students, he inspires them to take ownership of their education and their lives.”
More information about the countywide Teacher of the Year program is available at www.vcoe.org/TeacheroftheYear.