Sonoma County Office of Education

Celebrating School Employees in May

05/01/2019 -

This May, join SCOE in thanking Sonoma County's 4,000 teachers and 2,500 classified employees for their work and dedication in helping Sonoma County students succeed. May 5-11 is Teacher Appreciation Week, while Classified School Employee week is May 19-25.

Celebrating Teachers

Tune in to Mix 104.9 the week of May 5 to hear a special recognition of our county's excellent teachers. You can also listen online to our Teacher Appreciation Radio ad.

Katya Robinson ,Teacher of the YearSCOE recently named Special Education Teacher Katya Robinson, with the West Sonoma County Special Education Consortium, as Sonoma County Teacher of the Year in a surprise announcement attended by local media and school officials. Roseland University Prep English Teacher Travis Beall was celebrated as finalist. Learn more about these outstanding teachers here.

We are also continuing our Sonoma County Teacher of the Month through a promotion supported by KHITS 104.9, Community First Credit Union, and Platinum Chevrolet. Learn more at sonomacountyteacher.com.

As well, a series of teacher appreciation posters on the back of Sonoma County Transit buses are now being displayed throughout Sonoma County. The posters include photographs of more than a dozen educators chosen to represent their colleagues for this promotional campaign. The teachers are from local elementary schools and SCOE special education programs. (Last year’s teacher appreciation week promotion featured middle and high school teachers.)

Steve Larson and Tina Hoyal bus sign

“We wanted to bring Teacher Appreciation Week out into the community,” explains County Superintendent of Schools Steve Herrington. “I believe it’s important for all of us to let Sonoma County’s teachers know that they are appreciated and valued. They are an essential part of our children’s lives and their work is key to the future of our communities.”

The bus poster project was coordinated by SCOE and supported by community partners, listed on the sample display below.

Celebrating Classified School Employees

Classified school employee award finalists pose for a pictureClassified school employees, from school bus drivers to cafeteria workers to instructional aides, are the often-unsung heroes who play key roles in creating a school environment that contributes to the whole child by promoting student achievement, safety, and health.

In April, SCOE recognized outstanding classified employees from around the county with the annual Classified School Employee of the Year reception. Employees were nominated for this honor, and several finalists went on to be considered for statewide recognition. Learn more about the nominees and finalists here.

SCOE is also running a radio promotion on KZST to recognize classified school employees as well as teachers, May 10-19. Tune in to KZST to hear the promotion, or School Recognition Month" target="_blank">listen to it here.

May 19-25 is Classified School Employee Week throughout Sonoma County. "Classified employees ensure that students get to school safely, are well feed, and have the support they need to do well," said County Superintendent Steve Herrington. "Take a moment to thank a bus driver, custodian, teacher's aide, or other classified employee who has made a difference in your child's life."