Teacher of the Year
California Teachers of the Year
The Sonoma County Teacher of the Year program provides recognition for outstanding teachers in our county.
The winner and finalist(s) are honored at a Sonoma County Office of Education event in the fall, and receive an award from sponsor Community First Credit Union.
The Sonoma County Teacher of the Year will move on to complete the state application for the California Teacher of the Year Award. SCOE is looking to recognize a teacher who is an exemplar of masterful teaching who would participate in the state application process. This prestigious statewide competition involves county offices of education nominating winners from their regional Teachers of the Year competitions. A state selection committee then reviews candidates' applications and conducts site visits for up to 20 applicants to evaluate the teachers' rapport with students, classroom environment, presentation skills, and teaching methods, among other criteria. A select group of up to 10 teachers are interviewed at the California Department of Education in Sacramento. The State Superintendent then names five teachers as California Teachers of the Year.
Minimum Eligibility Requirements
- Fully credentialed teacher for a minimum of eight years.
- Currently assigned to teach students full-time; applicants may be assigned some administrative duties if teaching is the primary responsibility.
- Assigned to teach students for the 2024-25 school year.
- Administrators must complete the nomination form.
- Nomination forms must be returned to Lacey Goff (lgoff@scoe.org).
- DEADLINE EXTENDED: no later than 4 p.m. on April 11, 2025.
Additionally, applicants must:
- Have demonstrated leadership and innovation in and outside of the classroom walls that embodies lifelong learning.
- Have expressed themselves in an engaging and articulate way.
- Be available to fulfill ambassadorial duties during the year of service (if selected as California Teacher of the Year).
- Have the support of their principal/employer.
Application Forms
Contact Lacey Goff (lgoff@scoe.org) for a copy of the application and scoring rubric.
All materials must be returned to:
Sonoma County Office of Education
Superintendent’s Office, Attn: Lacey Goff
5340 Skylane Blvd.
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Event sponsors
Jackson Family Wines
Contact
For additional information, please contact Lacey Goff at 707-524-2605 or lgoff@scoe.org.