Home Contra Costa County 2017-2018 Contra Costa County Teachers of the Year Announced

2017-2018 Contra Costa County Teachers of the Year Announced

by ECT

West Contra and San Ramon Valley Unified School District Representatives move on to State Program

CONCORD, Calif. — On September 29, in an electrifying and packed Concord Hilton banquet room, Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Karen Sakata, announced Paula Raj, of the West Contra Costa Unified School District and Marissa Ware, of the San Ramon Unified School District as the 2017-2018 Contra Costa County Teachers of the Year.

Before she was old enough to attend school, Paula Raj began honing her teaching skills with a “classroom” of stuffed animals and younger neighbor kids. Raj teaches Spanish to grades 9-12 at De Anza High, in Richmond. The 35-year teacher has been with the high school for the past 21 years. Prior to her current position, the Brooklyn native taught middle high and high school Spanish and French in Brooklyn, New York City, and Lexington, Massachusetts, between 1968-1995.

“‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,’” Raj quotes Nelson Mandela. “This is why every day when I greet my students, I am ever cognizant that what I do may have an impact far greater than what I can see. Each student is someone’s child and deserves to be treated with the respect, kindness, and caring of their teachers. I believe in keeping this philosophy in mind at all times. Each student is an individual who brings their uniqueness to the classroom, if only we give them voice. Over the years, I have learned so much from my students and I’m always in awe of the new and profound perspectives they bring to class.”

Marissa Ware was well on the road to becoming a physical therapist, but during her college work with an infant development program, she became absolutely fascinated watching the development stages of the infant and toddler patients grow physically and mentally. From this experience, Ware changed course to education. The 18-year educator has been teaching grades K-3, at John Baldwin Elementary, in Danville for the past six years.

“In our classroom, every day begins with a squeeze and a smile, and ends with a hug, handshake, high five, or this year’s student created ‘hand-blam,’” says Ware. Every child is nurtured and embraced for their unique learning style, academic and emotional needs, cultural background, and individuality. Inclusion is paramount, as I integrate their commonalities into our class culture. Which of my students is interested in baseball or Pokémon, fairies or fashion? Knowing these snippets of information allows me an entry point into their lives and increases their engagement in learning. A stronger academic outcome is the result.”

The two educators’ pathways to becoming this year’s Contra Costa County Teachers of the Year were quite the endeavor. After both teachers were named Teacher of the Year by their school districts, last March, Raj and Ware successfully proceeded, with the other 19, K-12 eligible county candidates, through a rigorous countywide selection process, including an application screening, classroom evaluation and interview, and speech presentation. Their two fellow finalists were Tom Trowbridge, Mt. Diablo School District (Concord High) and Kari Stewart, Walnut Creek School District, (Tice Creek Elementary).

The evening’s sizable audience included the TOYs’ family members and friends, as well as numerous local educators, business partners, and elected-official representatives. Kicking off the festivities was a musical performance provided by the El Cerrito High School Jazz Ensemble. Their teacher, Keith Johnson, led the 16-piece band of exceptionally talented musicians. Johnson is a former West Contra Costa Unified School District Teacher of the year.

The evening also offered a 15-minute video that featured a visit to each of the honored TOYs’ classrooms, and short interviews of their students. This was followed by Sakata introducing the TOY class of 2017-2018, individually on to the stage, where each teacher told the audience about which teacher inspired them to follow a career in education.

Afterwards, the four TOY finalists each presented a short speech to the crowd, incorporating the topic: “What I have learned from my students.” The highly anticipated announcement of the two new county TOYs concluded the exciting festivities with a loud ovation.

Raj and Ware will now compete with all the other California county representatives in the California State TOY competition. The California State Teachers of the Year are expected to be announced in early October. The county TOY program is coordinated by the Contra Costa County Office of Education.

For additional info and a complete list of this year’s TOYS, visit the CCCOE’s Teacher of the Year Web page.

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