Contra Costa County’s Teachers of the Year honored during challenging year
CONCORD, CA – Join the celebration of 22 remarkable teachers at the annual Contra Costa County Teachers of the Year (TOY) Virtual Gala. The celebration begins Thursday, Sept. 24, at 6:30 p.m. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this event will not follow the longtime tradition of being held at the Hilton Concord. Entry into the virtual gala is free and can be accessed here.
“Though we will certainly miss being together and seeing the hundreds of smiling faces in person at the Hilton, we feel our upcoming Teachers of the Year Virtual Gala will be very special,” says Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Lynn Mackey. “The broadcast will feature many of the favorite moments of our past TOY galas. Students will introduce their teachers, the teachers will tell us about what they’ve learned teaching during a pandemic. The celebration also features tremendous music entertainment provided by Contra Costa College and Liberty High School choirs. And you’ll see the official introduction of our county’s newest Teachers of the Year – who will go on to represent Contra Costa County in the statewide competition.”
Along with their evening’s accolades, the 22 teachers will receive gifts and classroom-grant funding from the community’s business sector. They will also get a number of proclamations presented by federal, State, and local elected representatives.
Related story: Concord first grade teacher Beth Bremer is 1 of 2 MDUSD Teachers of the Year
Contra Costa County Teachers of the Year
Class of 2020-2021:
- Marlene Miranda, Acalanes Union High School District, Las Lomas High School
- Robert Vieria, Antioch Unified School District, Antioch Middle School
- Karen Neilson, Brentwood Union School District, Garin Elementary School
- Jennifer Krey Byron Union School District, Excelsior Middle School
- Thomas Barber, Contra Costa Community College District, Diablo Valley College
- Ellyn Hustead, Contra Costa County Office of Education, Mt. McKinley School
- Kellyn M. Jew, John Swett Unified School District, Rodeo Hills Elementary School
- Shirley Ann Padgett, Knightsen Elementary School District, Knightsen Elementary School
- Christina Nitsos, Lafayette School District, Lafayette Elementary School
- Lyndsie J. Memory, Liberty Union High School District, Liberty High School
- Amber Love-Snyder, Martinez Unified School District, Las Juntas Elementary School
- Brett Lorie, Moraga School District, Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School
- Beth Miller Bremer, Mt. Diablo Unified School District, Wren Avenue Elementary School
- Dylan Bland, Mt. Diablo Unified School District, College Park High School
- Kathy Reinders, Oakley Union Elementary School District, Vintage Elementary School
- Katherine Sahm, Orinda Union School District, Del Rey Elementary School
- Taylor Leonna Smith, Pittsburg Unified School District, Rancho Medanos Junior High School
- Sarah Clancy, San Ramon Valley Unified School District, Live Oak Elementary School
- Courtney Konopacky, San Ramon Valley Unified School District, Stone Valley Middle School
- Petra Sauve, Walnut Creek School District, Parkmead Elementary School
- Cesar Dante-Barragan, West Contra Costa Unified School District, Cesar Chavez Elementary School
- Jesus Alfredo Galindo, West Contra Costa Unified School District, Lincoln Elementary School
For additional details about the CCCOE’s TOY program, visit the Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year Web page.