PLEASANT HILL – Currently, there are approximately 8,401 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 recently named their Teachers of the Year (TOY) representatives.
The upcoming school year’s 21 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.
“We are extremely proud of these astounding educators,” said Karen Sakata, Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools. “They were thoughtfully chosen to represent their schools and districts, and truly represent what is best about public education.”
The county’s TOY program is directed by the CCCOE. With such a high caliber of teaching professionals to draw from, the CCCOE’s TOY program uses a three-stage selection process, with a point and percentage system to determine the final candidates as follows:
I Application Screening:
On March 31, a committee of 13 judges, representing the county’s education, business, and public-sector partners carefully reviewed the TOY representative applications submitted by the school districts. This committee independently read and rated each application. After the application screening and scoring are completed, four teachers will be selected to advance to the next two phases as finalists.
II Classroom Observation and Interview:
In April and May, a small committee of education specialists and business partners observe the four finalists interacting with their students. Immediately following, the committee interviews the candidates discussing topics such as their teaching philosophy and techniques.
III Speech Presentation:
On August 21, the four TOY finalists will each give a three- to five-minute speech to another panel of a dozen educators, business, and public-sector representatives who will judge the finalists on their speech and presentation skills.
On the evening of September 28, 2017, all 22 TOYs, accompanied by their families, friends, and co-workers (an audience of close to 400) will be honored at the annual Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year Dinner Celebration, held at the Hilton Concord. Ms. 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 four finalists giving their three- to five-minute speeches (same speeches given in August) 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.
2017-2018 Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year Representatives:
- Shawna Borba, Brentwood Union School District, Bristow Middle School
- Susan Boudreau, Orinda Union School District, Orinda Intermediate School
- Trina Bradshaw, Liberty Union High School District, Liberty High School
- Tiffany Chieudjui, West Contra Costa Unified School District, Grant Elementary School
- Paige Colburn, Oakley Union Elementary School District, Gehringer Elementary School
- John Freytag, Contra Costa Community College District, Diablo Valley College
- Kelly Giotta, San Ramon Valley Unified School District, Gale Ranch Middle School
- Paula Gonzalez, Knightsen Elementary School District, Knightsen Elementary School
- China Harvey, Acalanes Union High School District, Las Lomas High School
- Margaret Jane Honey, Mt. Diablo Unified School District, Northgate High School
- Erica Hornnes, Byron Union School District, Excelsior Middle School
- Amanda Lorie, Moraga School District, Donald L. Rheem Elementary School
- Linda Mara, Lafayette School District, Stanley Middle School
- Paula Raj, West Contra Costa Union School District, De Anza High School
- Jacey Renfroe, Antioch Unified School District, Marsh Elementary School
- Kari Stewart, Walnut Creek School District, Tice Creek School
- Rhuepell Stroud, Contra Costa County Office of Education, Mt. McKinley School
- David Taylor, John Swett Unified School District, Rodeo Hills Elementary School
- Tom Trowbridge, Mt. Diablo Unified School District, Concord High School
- Julie Quinn, Martinez Unified School District, Las Juntas Elementary School
- Marissa Ware, San Ramon Valley Unified School District, John Baldwin Elementary School
- Michael Whitaker, Pittsburg Unified School District, Highland Elementary School
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
