SCOE Teacher of the Year Program
SCOE teachers work in unique and specialized situations, educating students in community schools, special education, job training programs, and those who are incarcerated. Teachers work tirelessly with their students (and often the students’ families) in these diverse and frequently challenging assignments.
Since 1988, SCOE has celebrated its teachers and the important work they do by participating in the statewide Teacher of the Year competition, facilitated by the California Department of Education (CDE). SCOE teachers are nominated to compete by parents, staff, management, or their peers. The nominees go through a selection process, answering written questions and being interviewed by a selection committee. Teachers report that this process helps them see their many accomplishments. They come away with a renewed sense of dedication and a reminder of why they entered the teaching profession.
One of the SCOE teacher nominees is selected to move on to the countywide Teacher of the Year competition where two teachers from Sacramento County are selected to compete at the state level. Five California Teachers of the Year are selected—one of whom goes on to compete at the national level.
Previous SCOE Teachers of the Year
Historical listing by school year of the certificated staff members selected to represent SCOE at the county level.
2023–24 (SCOE TOY 2024)
Bill Garvey
Sacramento Community Based Coalition (SCBC)
Adult Re-Entry Program
SCOE 2024 Teacher of the Year News Article
2022–23 (SCOE TOY 2023)
Kevin Jordan
Leo A. Palmiter Jr./Sr. High School
Special Education
SCOE 2023 Teacher of the Year News Article
2021–22 (SCOE TOY 2022)
Nick Papagiannopoulos
Leo A. Palmiter Jr./Sr. High School
Special Education
SCOE 2022 Teacher of the Year News Article
2020–21 (SCOE TOY 2021)
Carissa Jones
El Centro Jr./Sr. High School
Culinary Arts
SCOE 2021 Teacher of the Year News Article
2019–20 (SCOE 2020 Teacher of the Year)
Austin Roughton
Sly Park Environmental Education Center
Outdoor Science
SCOE 2020 Teacher of the Year News Article
2018–19 (SCOE 2019 Teacher of the Year)
Cynthia Guzman
Leo A. Palmiter Jr./Sr. High School
Special Education
SCOE 2019 Teacher of the Year News Article
2017–18 (SCOE 2018 Teacher of the Year)
Jeff Zahniser
Leo A. Palmiter Jr./Sr. High School
Special Education
SCOE 2018 Teacher of the Year News Article
Also selected as one of two Sacramento County Teachers of the Year
2016–17 (SCOE 2017 Teacher of the Year)
Patti Buckholz
Infant Development Program
Language, Speech and Hearing Specialist
SCOE 2017 Teacher of the Year News Article
2015–16 (SCOE 2016 Teacher of the Year)
Marsha Cornwell
Wilson C. Riles Middle School
Special Education/SH
SCOE 2016 Teacher of the Year News Article
2014–15 (SCOE 2015 Teacher of the Year)
Oluchi Okemiri
Prairie Elementary School—West Campus
Special Education/SH
SCOE 2015 Teacher of the Year News Article
2013–14 (SCOE 2014 Teacher of the Year)
René Delgado
Elinor Lincoln Hickey Jr./Sr. High School
Special Education/SH
SCOE 2014 Teacher of the Year News Article
2012–13 (SCOE 2013 Teacher of the Year)
Terri Edinburgh
Prairie Elementary School—West Campus
Special Education/SH
SCOE 2013 Teacher of the Year News Article
2011–12 (SCOE 2012 Teacher of the Year)
Ben Diaz
Bannon Creek Elementary School
Special Education/ED
SCOE 2012 Teacher of the Year News Article
2010–11 (SCOE 2011 Teacher of the Year)
Barbara Modlin
Elinor Lincoln Hickey Jr./Sr. High School
Community Schools
SCOE 2011 Teacher of the Year News Article
2009–10 (SCOE 2010 Teacher of the Year)
Lisa Alcalá
Elinor Lincoln Hickey Jr./Sr. High School
Community Schools
SCOE 2010 Teacher of the Year News Article
2008–09 (SCOE 2009 Teacher of the Year)
Daniel Watts
Carson Creek Jr./Sr. High School
ROP/Juvenile Court Schools
SCOE 2009 Teacher of the Year News Article
2007–08 (SCOE 2008 Teacher of the Year)
Jan Valine
Bowling DRC
Juvenile Court Schools
SCOE 2008 Teacher of the Year News Article
2006–07 (SCOE 2007 Teacher of the Year)
Sharon Botkin
Northview Preschool & Sharon Neese Learning Center
Special Education/SH Preschool
SCOE 2007 Teacher of the Year News Article
2005–06 (SCOE 2006 Teacher of the Year)
Cathy Goodrich
Galt High School
Special Education/Young Adult Transition Class
2004–05 (SCOE 2005 Teacher of the Year)
Joy Bonds-Baird
Special Education/Infant Development Program
2003–04 (SCOE 2004 Teacher of the Year)
Carol Johnston
ROP/Dental Careers
2002–03 (SCOE 2003 Teacher of the Year)
Jim Davis
ROP/Retail Sales Careers
2001–02 (SCOE 2002 Teacher of the Year)
Michael Bernardis
Special Education/Infant Development Program
2000–01 (SCOE 2001 Teacher of the Year)
Michael Laharty
Leo A. Palmiter Jr./Sr. High School
Special Education/WorkAbility
Also selected as one of two Sacramento County Teachers of the Year
1999–00 (SCOE 2000 Teacher of the Year)
Alicia Zermeno
Special Education/Vision
1998–99 (SCOE 1999 Teacher of the Year)
Frank Lopez
ROP/Automotive Technology
1997–98 (SCOE 1998 Teacher of the Year)
Nancy Blackburn
Esperanza Jr./Sr. High School
Juvenile Court Schools
1996–97 (SCOE 1997 Teacher of the Year)
Stephen "Hoppy" Hopkins
Sly Park Conservation & Environmental Education Center
1995–96 (SCOE 1996 Teacher of the Year)
Daniel Bridges
Dry Creek Elementary School—West Campus
Special Education
1994–95 (SCOE 1995 Teacher of the Year)
Kara Lynn Pomykala
Dry Creek Elementary School—West Campus
Special Education/SH
1993–94 (SCOE 1994 Teacher of the Year)
Tim Taylor
El Centro Jr./Sr. High School
Juvenile Court Schools
1992–93 (SCOE 1993 Teacher of the Year)
Jeanne Baldwin
ROP/Health and Hospital Careers (HATS)
1991–92 (SCOE 1992 Teacher of the Year)
Mary Bell
Morgan Alternative Center
Juvenile Court Schools
1990–91 (SCOE 1991 Teacher of the Year)
Phil Avram
Juvenile Court Schools
1989–90 (SCOE 1990 Teacher of the Year)
Darryl McRorie
ROP/Office & Computer Careers
1988–89 (SCOE 1989 Teacher of the Year)
Linda Mitchell
Sly Park Conservation & Environmental Education Center
1987–88 (SCOE 1988 Teacher of the Year)
Rudy Worthington
ROP/Automotive Technology