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Sacramento River Cats Honor Outstanding Teachers

Teachers Saluted During Pre-Game Ceremony at April 27 Game

Teachers of the Year posing with River Cats mascot

County Teachers of the Year Nicole Naditz and Robert Brewer, along with River Cats catcher Joel Galarraga and Intel Education Manager Leroy Tripette, pose with Dinger, the River Cats mascot.

Sacramento County's Teachers of the Year 2012 were honored at Raley Field on Friday, April 27, during a special pre-game ceremony before the Sacramento River Cats/Tucson Padres baseball game.

The reigning Sacramento County Teachers of the Year, Nicole Naditz, who teaches French at Bella Vista High School in San Juan Unified, and Robert Brewer, who teaches math and physics at Florin High School in Elk Grove Unified, were among the honorees. Both threw out a ceremonial first pitch.

After the ceremony, the River Cats hosted honorees and their guests at a reception. During the reception, the teachers received words of praise from Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools David W. Gordon, and Tony Asaro, River Cats Vice-President of Community Relations.

Leroy Tripette, Education Manager for event sponsor Intel Corporation Folsom, also was on hand to thank the teachers for their dedication to children and families and to give them special gift bags courtesy of Intel.

This is the sixth year for the Sacramento River Cats to recognize the area's top teachers with an evening specifically dedicated to the area's Teachers of the Year. On March 11, 2012, the Teachers of the Year were honored in a special on-court ceremony during the Sacramento Kings/Atlanta Hawks game. Teacher Appreciation Night at Power Balance Pavilion was sponsored by U.S. Bank. At a special dinner on April 17, the two Sacramento County Teachers of the Year were honored by the Sacramento Scottish Rite Bodies of Freemasonry.

The Sacramento County Teachers of the Year Program is coordinated annually by the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) to recognize the achievements of local educators and to raise awareness of the valuable role that teachers play in the lives of their students and in the community.

Information about the program is available online or by phoning the Sacramento County Office of Education at (916) 228-2417.

Teacher directing band students on-field

Natomas Teacher of the Year Jeff Galindo directed Natomas Middle School students in performing the National Anthem.

Teachers of the Year waving