21 educators in Contra Costa County have been named their school district’s teacher of the year. With that distinction, the educators represent more than 8,000 teachers in Contra Costa County public schools and community colleges.
The teachers are from 18 county school districts, the Contra Costa Community College District, and the Contra Costa County Office of Education.
To compete in the county’s Teachers of the Year competition, a teacher must be a Kindergarten through 12th-grade teacher and have at least eight years of experience. Eligible teachers have submitted their applications to be considered for the 2023-2024 Contra Costa County Teachers of the Year, which is organized by the Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE). This year marks the 51st year of the Contra Costa County Teachers of the Year Program and the year’s theme is “Your Time to Shine.”
“Please join me in celebrating these top educators,” Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Lynn Mackey said. “You all are remarkable at what you do in the classroom and leave an unforgettable impression on your students. Thank you for your dedication to the education profession and for making a difference in our children’s lives. You are all prime examples of public education at its finest in Contra Costa County.”
2023-2024 Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year Nominees:
- Evan Sebree, Acalanes Union High School District, Acalanes Center for Independent Study
- Pam Swicegood, Antioch High School, Antioch Unified School District
- Elizabeth McGinn, Brentwood Union School District, Garwin Elementary School
- Chelsea Toon, Byron Union School District, Discovery Bay Elementary School
- Jacqui Mosqueira, Contra Costa County Office of Education, Deaf/HH Education Specialist
- Alissa Perskey, John Swett Unified School District, Rodeo Hills Elementary School
- Cathy Templeton, Knightsen Elementary School District, Old River Elementary School
- Abigail Ehrhorn, Lafayette School District, Burton Valley Elementary School
- Annalouisa Gonzalez-Ortega, Liberty Union High School District, Freedom High School
- Paula Parker, Martinez Unified School District, John Muir Elementary School
- Michael Adler, Moraga School District, Camino Pablo Elementary School
- Joseph Alvarico, Mt. Diablo Unified School District, Ygnacio Valley High School
- Danya Townsend, Mt. Diablo Unified School District, Olympic High School
- Lee Ann Dike, Oakley Union Elementary School District, Vintage Park Elementary School
- Beth Traub, Pittsburg Unified School District, Pittsburg High School
- Ashley Fabro, San Ramon Valley Unified School District, Golden View Elementary
- Chris Connor, San Ramon Valley Unified School District, Monte Vista High School
- Barbara Albaugh, Walnut Creek School District, Walnut Creek Intermediate
- Patricia Ogura, West Contra Costa Unified School District, Hercules Middle/High School
- Maria Dizon, West Contra Costa Unified School District, Michelle Obama Elementary School
- Robert Hawkins, Contra Costa County Community College District, Diablo Valley College
Four finalists will be selected from the pool of 18 district teachers of the year that have submitted applications. An announcement naming the finalists will happen during the month of April. Of the final four, two county winners will be announced at the 51st Annual Contra Costa County Teachers of the Year celebration on Thursday, September 21.
Those two teachers then move on to the State of California’s Teacher of the Year competition.
So you can no longer name a school after George Washington or Abraham Lincoln, but Michelle Obama Elementary is o.k.? That’s just so not right.
WRITE IN VOTE!!!
Amateur Teacher, Democratic People’s District Of Contra Costa, Anthony Fauci Finishing School for People Born with a Penis (formerly known as Keisha Nzewi Reform School for the Eradication of Mostly Wealthy, Mostly White Misogynistic Racists)
These Teacher of the Year awards are a joke. They need to rename it what it actually is: Most Liberal Teacher/ Teacher Who Doesn’t Teach Academics and Only DEI.
@Oh Please – You have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about. The nominees I know (personally) on that list do not inculcate their pupils with any such partisan twaddle. They are dedicated educators who go above and beyond to help ALL of their students reach their potential and diligently engage with parents.
Then I guess you know the few good ones…
Lol. Suuuurrreeee.
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Did their recognition require approval by their union?
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Unbelievable. Where are your heads? This is an article about those that worked hard for your children not about what a school is named or being a wise arse. They have done something positive with their lives. What positive things are you doing? We need more positive people in this world.
@Just_My_Two_Cents
Wow….did we read the same article? I never saw where it said anybody worked hard, only that you had to have 8 years of experience in K-12. In your defense, maybe the teachers did work hard, but isn’t that what they’re paid to do? And with California coming in almost last in the country when it used to be first, isn’t something to be handing out medals for.
There is a special place in hell for California’s public teachers and their union for what they did to our children for 2 solid years. It is a cruel and selfish person who places a child in front of computer monitor at home for 2 years. Shame on the public schools personnel.
And not only that, but that they keep indoctrinating them. That, and the absolute lack of teaching anything of substance, is why we left public schools.
all I can think of now….
https://ktla.com/news/california-teacher-of-the-year-re-arrested/
…. the majority of educators and staff I’ve spoken to at MDUSD do not deserve recognition of the raises they just received… unbeleivable
The public education system is a laugh. An indoctrination camp for liberal idealism and the foundation of all that is sick and immoral.