Oak Grove Elementary’s Hayley Blondin named Sonoma County Teacher of the Year
(Santa Rosa, CA) — Hayley Blondin, a bilingual multiple subjects teacher at Oak Grove Elementary School, was celebrated as the Sonoma County Teacher of the Year for 2026 during an all-school assembly on Monday, May 18.
Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Amie Carter, whose office administers the annual recognition program, and SCOE staff visited Blondin’s school to celebrate her ability to build community. Blondin’s nomination highlighted her ability to improve school culture through meaningful 1-on-1 relationships with her students while also planning thoughtful, campuswide celebrations that bolster the whole school’s culture.
“Everybody who knows Mrs. Blondin knows that she is a teacher who teaches with love, and kindness, and commitment,” Carter said during the assembly. “We couldn’t think of a better teacher to represent Sonoma County.”
Blondin thanked her school community and students for their support and collaboration.
“I’m just overcome with gratitude and very moved,” Blondin said. “I’m just so grateful for this school and this community because it wouldn’t be possible to do all the things I’m doing without all the support I get from Principal (Brett) Page and from all my team, and from the students. So thank you so much.”
In her application, Blondin outlined her values of wanting her students to feel engaged in their education and like they belong at school. She shared an example of a student who was lacking confidence in reading. Blondin explained how she worked to develop a connection with the student, build his confidence, and apply instructional methods grounded in the Science of Reading that she learned as part of SCOE’s Literacy Fellowship.
“(The student’s parents) … noticed these changes and sent me this note via ParentSquare in December, ‘Hi Hayley, this is a thank you message. Thank you for putting your heart into teaching!” The family shared that their student, “is doing so well and feeling much more confident with reading.”
As a bilingual educator who can teach in English and Spanish, Blondin “regularly weaves Spanish instruction into the school day to enrich students (and) offer an opportunity for second language learners in her classroom to shine,” her nomination by Principal Page said.
Teacher of the Year is facilitated by the Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) and Carter, the Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools. As Sonoma County’s 2026 Teacher of the Year, Blondin will move on for consideration as a California Teacher of the Year for 2027. The California Department of Education announces state teachers of the year in the fall.
“It takes a special teacher to be able to build personal connections — in two languages! — while also being able to captivate an entire school community,” Carter said. “Mrs. Blondin’s leadership, versatility, and positivity would make her a rock star on any campus.”
On the schoolwide level, Blondin “is deeply involved in nearly every facet of school life,” Page said. “(She’s) consistently stepping forward to lead, organize, and support initiatives that strengthen our culture and sense of belonging.
Blondin leads the school’s student council, which empowers 5th graders to lead campuswide “Marvelous Monday” assemblies. Her promotion of environmental education led her to create an Earth Day Extravaganza as well as to launch a monthlong environmental stewardship challenge. She also started a talent show and chose two stuffed squirrels to act as school mascots that promote positive student behaviors.
“She doesn’t just participate in events — she creates new events and leads them in ways that bring students together and give them meaningful roles,” he said.
In addition to recognizing Blondin as Sonoma County Teacher of the Year, SCOE also named Nikki Boccaleoni, a 5th grade teacher at John Reed Elementary School in the Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District, as a runner-up.
Both educators, as well as several nominees, will be honored during a celebration at SCOE in the fall. At that event, Blondin, Boccaleoni, and the nominees will receive checks from Community First Credit Union in recognition of their exceptional service to students.