San Ramon Valley USD Teachers of the Year Honored

From CCCOE: On May 8, the Contra Costa County Teachers of the Year (TOY), class of 2017-18, gathered at the Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE), in Pleasant Hill, for a special event held in their honor. (For a complete list of the latest TOYs, please review this news release.)

Along with the outstanding opportunity of fellowship between the honored teachers, as well as many of their school principals and school district superintendents, the reception provided information about what the newest 22 TOYs can expect during the upcoming year.

After special remarks made by Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Karen Sakata and Contra Costa County Board of Education President Mike Maxwell, the group learned about the history of the TOY program, that began in 1973; the Classroom Grants that they will receive this fall; and the upcoming Teacher of the Year Dinner Celebration. A heartwarming portion of the event took place during the teachers’ introductions, as each were asked which person in their life inspired them to enter a career in education. Many of the TOYs told the audience how they were inspired by their former teachers and family members. In addition, the group enjoyed hearing about what they can expect during the upcoming year from the current 2016-2017 Contra Costa County Teachers of the Year Shauna Hawes and Gina Minder-Maldonado.

On the evening of September 28, 2017, all 22 TOYs, accompanied by their families, friends, and co-workers (an audience of close to 500) will be honored at the annual Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year Dinner Celebration, held at the Hilton Concord. Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Karen Sakata, who serves as master of ceremonies, introduces the TOYs by sharing a special story that reflects her classroom visits of each teacher during the current spring and summer months. This will be followed by the TOY four finalists giving their three- to five-minute speeches to the filled banquet room. Finally, the night will come to a dramatic close with the announcement of the two 2017-2018 Contra Costa County Teachers of the Year.

For information about the four TOY finalists, please view this news release.

Currently, there are approximately 8,400 teachers educating more than 176,000 students in Contra Costa County’s public schools. To recognize their efforts and bring much-deserved honor to the teaching profession, the participating school districts in the county named their TOY representatives in mid March. The incoming 22 TOYs represent 17 Contra Costa County school districts, the Contra Costa Community College District, and the Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE). Most of these representatives, those who teach grades K thru 12, are eligible to compete in the Contra Costa County TOY competition. The two top teachers in the county TOY program will represent Contra Costa County in the California State TOY Program this coming fall.

Note regarding eligible participants:

Seventeen of the eighteen Contra Costa County school districts represented, and the CCCOE are participating in this year’s TOY program.

Each year, one instructor from Contra Costa Community College District is submitted to the TOY program for his/her outstanding body of work with their designated college. The colleges rotate each year between Diablo Valley, Los Medanos, and Contra Costa. (These instructors do not compete in the State Teacher of the Year competition.) This year is Diablo Valley College’s turn.

Due to the larger number of students and teachers in their districts, West Contra Costa USD, Mt. Diablo USD, and San Ramon Valley USD are allowed to submit two TOY candidates.

For additional details about the CCCOE’s Teacher of the Year program, please visit this Web page.

Photo courtesy of CCCOE( San Ramon Valley USD Teachers of the Year: (l-r) Marissa Ware, John Baldwin Elementary School and Kelly Giotta, Gale Ranch Middle School. Photo Credit: Jonathan Lance, CCCOE)