An El Centro 6th grade teacher is the Imperial County Teacher of the Year.

Marilyn McAlister is a 6th grade teacher at Sunflower Elementary School in El Centro. She has taught for a total of 28 years with stops in Calipatria and Imperial before El Centro. Imperial County Superintendent of Schools , Dr. Todd Finnell said , " Marilyn is a wonderful person who has worked tirelessly over the years to earn this honor. She embodies everything we look for in our teachers , and we are so proud to recognize her as our representative from Imperial County. Her positive spirit , infectious attitude , and love for kids are a model for all of us".