Solano County Announces Teacher Of The Year

SOLANO COUNTY, CA — Solano County Office of Education announced its 2020-2021 Teacher of the Year on Thursday. The honor goes to Katherine Reyes, who has worked for the Solano County Office of Education for 12 years and is the teacher for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing —DHH — at Rodriguez High School in Fairfield.

Solano County Superintendent of Schools Lisette Estrella-Henderson announced Reyes as teacher of the year during the Solano County Board of Education meeting held Wednesday night.

"Katherine is a great example of how teachers help our students learn, grow and thrive. Her tireless dedication makes a lasting impression on students’ lives," Estrella-Henderson said. "My sincere appreciation and admiration to Katherine and each of the school district nominees for their admirable work in education."

Reyes currently teaches English, mathematics, directed studies and transitional and career development. She also manages and holds Individualized Education Plan — IEP — meetings, connects families and students with DHH resources, and partners with Sonoma State University to teach American Sign Language night classes for families of DHH and the community.

Reyes will go on to represent Solano County in the California Teacher of the Year Program.

She will also be recognized at Solano County Teacher of the Year celebration alongside Solano County’s district winners at an event scheduled to take place Sept. 30 at the Yin Ranch in Vacaville.

Each Solano County school district identifies one candidate through a local selection process. The 2020-2021 District Teachers of the Year are:

Benicia Unified School District: Erin Biber, a teacher with 20 years experience who works at Robert Semple Elementary School as a K-5 special education teacher

Dixon Unified School District: Erin DeWeese, a teacher with 19 years experience who works at Dixon High School as math and AVID teacher for grades 9-12

Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District: Louise Craig, a teacher with 17 years experience who works at Crescent Elementary School as a second-grade general education teacher

Solano County Office Of Education: Katherine Reyes, a teacher with 12 years experience who works at Angelo Rodriguez High School as a deaf and hard of hearing teacher for grades 9-12

Travis Unified School District: Michael Howell, a teacher with 11 years experience who works at Vanden High School as a biology and AP biology teacher for grades 10-12

Vacaville Unified School District: Kay Nekota, a teacher with 18 years experience who works at Jean Callison Elementary School as a physical education teacher for grades 1-6

Vallejo City Unified School District: Devynne Johnson, a teacher with 4 years experience who works at Steffan Manor Elementary School as a fourth-grade multiple subjects teacher

Teacher of the year nominations are evaluated by a Blue Ribbon Committee consisting of past district, county and state TOY winners from throughout Solano County. The committee reviews all applications and conducts interviews before selecting the nominee they feel best demonstrates the exemplary attributes of our finest educators.

This year’s Blue Ribbon Committee included:

• Matt O’Reilly (Benicia USD and Solano County TOY 2019-20)
• Lisa Devoe (Fairfield-Suisun USD TOY 2016-17)
• Barbara Neihoff (Fairfield-Suisun USD TOY 2019-20)
• Collen Van Nes-Fahey (SCOE TOY 2019-20)
• Lori Lawn (Vacaville USD TOY 2019-20) and
• Jacob Wright (Vacaville USD TOY 2018-19).

SCOE began recognizing exemplary teachers in 1978, resulting in the annual selection of a teacher who reflects the rich diversity of Solano County’s educators. The program pays tribute to Solano’s teaching force, the growing complexity of challenges that confront its schools, and the need to promote collaboration and teamwork among teachers to meet those challenges.

Solano continues to face a critical teacher shortage; therefore, as a symbol of an honored profession, the Solano County Teacher of the Year stands to play a pivotal role in drawing new people into the field.

As a component of California Department of Education's California School Recognition Program, Solano County's TOY Program highlights educational innovation, student learning, and the rewards of teaching. Further, the program attracts public attention to the positive aspects of its educational system.