The Alameda County Office of Education is proud to announce this year’s winners of the celebrated Teacher of the Year Awards.  The district winners will be honored and recognized for their achievements during an award ceremony on October 6, 2011 at the San Leandro Arts Education Center. The Alameda County Teacher of the Year winner, and candidate for the state nomination, will also be announced during the event. The event is open to the public. To register, please click here.
 
“In celebration of all of our annual award recipients, I would like to express my gratitude to faculty and staff who remain strong despite the adversity surrounding our profession. You embody the super-powers that awaken and inspire the curiosity and initiative of our future heroes” said Sheila Jordan, Superintendent of Alameda County Schools.
 
This year’s theme “Celebrating Real Life Heroes” celebrates the power of teachers to change the world we live in by guiding and educating our children.
 
The eighteen districts and Regional Occupational Programs that submitted their “2011 Teacher of the Year” are (in order by district): 

• Alameda COE:       Aixa Caraballo, Burke Center
• Alameda USD:       Elizabeth Young, Washington Elementary School
• Berkeley USD (team teachers): Hillary Mitchell and Kimberly Burton, Washington Elementary School
• Castro Valley USD: Tina Johansson, Creekside Middle School
• Dublin USD:           Jan Cohen, Wells Middle School
• Emery USD:           Tarsha Jordan, Anna Yates Elementary School
• Fremont USD:        Lewis Kilcrease, Walters Junior High School
• Hayward USD:        Diane Shepherd, Bowman Elementary School
• Livermore VJ USD: Linda Stevens, Rancho Las Positas Elementary School
• New Haven USD:    Julie Panebianco, James Logan High School
• Newark USD:          Tom Collett, Newark Junior High School
• Oakland USD:         Lissette Averhoff, ACORN Woodland Elementary School
• Oakland USD:         Lisa Hiltbrand, Urban Promise Academy
• Pleasanton USD:     JoAnn Koobatian, Foothill High School
• San Leandro USD:   Heather DiMaggio, James Madison Elementary School
• San Lorenzo USD:   Glenna Wurm-Hayenga, San Lorenzo High School
• Sunol USD:             Suzette Takei, Sunol Glen School

• Fremont| Mission Valley ROP:  Mari Moschetti, Kennedy High School 
• Pleasanton| Tri-Valley ROP:     Karen McMahon, Horizon Continuation High School
• San Lorenzo| Eden Area ROP:  Christina Charlton, Arroyo High School

This is the 22nd year that the Alameda County Office of Education recognizes and celebrates teachers throughout Alameda County for their excellence in classroom instruction.  The honor and significance of the award will be throughout the 2011/2012 school year.
 
The Teachers of the Year are available for interviews, please contact their schools directly or please call ACOE’s communications office at 510-670-7754 to facilitate contact information.
 
 
About ACOE
The Alameda County Office of Education has fiscal oversight of all eighteen Alameda County public school districts.  ACOE provides over 500 programs and services to district offices in all aspects of school operations including professional development and credentialing services for educators. The agency fosters student achievement and development through leadership, innovation, and accountability in partnership with the public, educational community, and parents.