Ross School Music Teacher Named Marin County Teacher Of The Year

ROSS, CA — Erika Meeker, a music teacher at the K-8 Ross School, has been named the 2020 Marin County Teacher of the Year.

Meeker is a founding member of the Marin Music Educators' Association. She led a multi-year collaboration between Ross School and the Venetia Valley K-8 School in San Rafael. Students held combined rehearsals and ultimately performed in a joint concert using resources from both

communities. Her students went on to hold concert fundraisers to expand the Venetia Valley music program.

"By creating a classroom environment and a school culture that values community and kindness, our small actions had a great impact," Meeker said.

As the Marin County Teacher of the Year, Meeker will now be nominated for the California Teacher of the Year. The Teacher of the Year program recognizes exemplary teachers who demonstrate leadership and innovation in the classroom and community. The California Teacher of the Year will be announced in October.

"Erika Meeker is the kind of educator we want for all students," Marin County Schools Superintendent Mary Jane Burke said. "Her ability to inspire both her students and colleagues to create a learning environment that is welcoming and accessible to all students is truly remarkable."

The Marin County Teacher of the Year formal recognition is scheduled for May 21, 2020 at the Golden Bell Awards ceremony at Dominican University of California in San Rafael.

Bay City News Service and Kristina Houck/Patch contributed to this report.