Contra Costa County Office of Education

PLEASANT HILL, CA—The 52nd Annual Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year (TOY) celebration will be held on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at the Lesher Center in Walnut Creek. Tickets are now available for purchase. This event will honor 22 exceptional teachers from across the county, culminating in the announcement of two Contra Costa County Teachers of the Year.

The celebration begins at 6 p.m. Tickets are priced at $35 for adults and $15 for youth, with prices increasing after Labor Day. Prior to the main event, a Donor VIP reception will take place at The Garden in Walnut Creek from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tickets for the reception are $60 and include admission to the evening celebration. Parking for both the reception and the celebration is available at the Locust Street garage, adjacent to the Lesher Center.

Proceeds from ticket sales help fund classroom grants for all 22 recognized teachers. We extend our gratitude to Travis Credit Union, our corporate-level sponsor, and other sponsors who make these events and classroom grants possible. More information about the Teacher of the Year program can be found on the Contra Costa County Office of Education website.

The two county Teachers of the Year will be selected from the four finalists: Kristy Candelaria (San Ramon Valley Unified School District, John Baldwin Elementary School), Michelle Goode (Orinda Union Elementary School District, Del Rey Elementary School), Jennifer Martinez (Pittsburg Unified School District, Pittsburg High School), and Nicole Vicknair (Antioch Unified School District, Bidwell Continuation High School).

The following educators, each representing their respective school districts, will be recognized at the celebration.

2024-2025 Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year Nominees:

• Katie Watson, Acalanes Union High School District, Miramonte High School
• Nicole Vicknair, Antioch Unified School District, Bidwell Continuation High School
• Patty Barbosa, Brentwood Union School District, Mary Casey Elementary School
• Andrea Kanazeh, Byron Union School District, Timber Point Elementary School
• Andria Madsen, CCCOE Student Programs, Liberty Transition School
• Marilou Bibat, John Swett Unified School District, Carquinez Middle School
• Karen O’Leary, Knightsen Elementary School District, Old River Elementary School
• Stephanie Tompkins, Lafayette School District, Happy Valley Elementary School
• Joshua Cauley, Liberty Union High School District, Heritage High School
• Samantha Martinez, Martinez Unified School District, Alhambra High School
• Virginia Vu, Moraga School District, Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School
• Mia Carella, Mt. Diablo Unified School District, Walnut Acres Elementary School
• Ingrid Wright, Mt. Diablo Unified School District, Bancroft Elementary School
• Kim Charlson, Oakley Union Elementary School District, Vintage Parkway Elementary School
• Michelle Goode, Orinda Union Elementary School District, Del Rey Elementary School
• Jennifer Martinez, Pittsburg Unified School District, Pittsburg High School
• Kristy Candelaria, San Ramon Valley Unified School District, John Baldwin Elementary School
• Tori Witty, San Ramon Valley Unified School District, Iron Horse Middle School
• Kerry Wilson, Walnut Creek School District, Walnut Heights Elementary School
• Pilar Alvarado, West Contra Costa Unified School District, Lincoln Elementary School
• Sean Ajayi, West Contra Costa Unified School District, Lincoln Elementary School
• Scott Cabral, Contra Costa County Community College District, Los Medanos College

Notes regarding eligible participants:
• 17 of the 18 Contra Costa County school districts are represented, along with CCCOE and the community college district.

• Each year, one instructor from Contra Costa Community College District is submitted to the TOY program for their outstanding body of work with their designated college. The representative rotates annually between Diablo Valley, Los Medanos, and Contra Costa colleges. These instructors do not compete in the state competition but are honored at the county’s celebration.

• Due to the larger numbers of students and teachers, Mt. Diablo, San Ramon Valley, and West Contra Costa unified school districts can submit two candidates.

In addition to celebrating these outstanding teachers, the evening will feature performances by students from Contra Costa County schools, showcasing the best of public education in the county.

For more information on the Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year program or to donate, visit cocoschools.org/toy. Follow CCCOE on social media at @cocoschools.