Casey Cuny, the 2024 California Teacher of the Year, has been teaching in the Santa Clarita Valley of Los Angeles for over twenty years. He is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment, promoting a growth mindset, and championing his students' individual growth. Growing up in a ski area of Colorado, Cuny faced a serious health issue early in life, which taught him resilience. His catchphrase, "Rigor through relationships," reflects his belief in building resilient humans. He views students as emotional beings and teaches the whole child, focusing on strategies to manage emotions and rewarding growth rather than penalizing learning.

Cuny constantly assesses his classroom, focusing on teaching teenagers the skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. He uses a forward-thinking approach, incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Socratic seminars to enhance critical thinking. By integrating social, emotional, and academic intelligences, he pushes students to achieve high levels of rigor.

In addition to his classroom work, Cuny is actively involved in professional development and serves as an instructional coach. He also teaches pre-service education classes at National University, contributing to the adult education community as much as he does to his elementary students.