PLEASANT HILL, Calif. — On Thursday, March 13, 2025, the top educators from Contra Costa County’s 18 school districts, the County Office of Education, and the community college district were honored at a reception to launch the county’s 2025-26 Teacher of the Year (TOY) program.
These 22 distinguished instructors, representing over 8,000 education professionals across public schools and community colleges in the county, will now compete to be named one of the two Contra Costa County Teachers of the Year.
“This exceptional group of educators represents the dedication and passion of public school teachers across the county,” County Superintendent of Schools Lynn Mackey said. “Each year, I look forward to thanking them, visiting their classrooms, and celebrating their achievements. Throughout the Teacher of the Year festivities, I hope they feel truly appreciated and valued for their daily contributions in the classroom.”
This year marks the 53rd anniversary of the county’s Teachers of the Year program, highlighting its legacy in honoring outstanding educators.
In April, the selection committee will select four teacher finalists from the submitted applications. Then, in September, at the 53rd Annual Contra Costa County Teachers of the Year celebration, two County winners will be announced. Tickets for the TOY celebration will be available in the spring. Donations to the program are welcome.
The two county teachers of the year will advance to compete in the State of California’s Teacher of the Year competition, representing a major achievement in their educational careers.
The county competition, coordinated by the Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE), employs a four-stage selection process and a point and percentage system for judging. The process includes screening applications from all district teachers of the year, followed by classroom evaluations and interviews for the finalists. Each finalist will also deliver a three- to five-minute speech to a panel of judges, covering teaching philosophies, techniques, and personal backgrounds.
To be eligible for the county or state Teacher of the Year title, candidates must be fully credentialed teachers currently employed to teach any pre-kindergarten through grade twelve curriculum to children or adults, have completed eight years of teaching, and be employed full-time or as long-term substitutes with teaching as their primary responsibility.
2025-2026 Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year Nominees:
- Monika Voellm Acalanes Union High School District, Acalanes High School
- Kristine Koepke, Antioch Unified School District, Sutter Elementary School
- Amie Radabaugh, Brentwood Union School District, Adams Middle School
- Julia Musser Byron Union School District, Discovery Bay Elementary School
- Carianne Kowalski, CCCOE Student Programs, Diablo Vista Elementary School
- Rebecca Harris, John Swett Unified School District, John Swett High School
- Abe Naldjian, Knightsen Elementary School District, Old River Elementary School
- Kristine Gingrich Lafayette School District, Lafayette Elementary School
- Corey Spainhower, Liberty Union High School District, Liberty High School
- Donica Katayanagi, Martinez Unified School District, Morello Park Elementary School
- Joni Pearce, Moraga School District, Los Perales Elementary School
- David Pintado, Mt. Diablo Unified School District, Mt. Diablo High School
- Elizabeth Swanson, Mt. Diablo Unified School District, Silverwood Elementary School
- Denise Holton, Oakley Union Elementary School District, Almond Grove Elementary School
- Sarah Sable, Orinda Union Elementary School District, Sleepy Hollow Elementary School
- Rosa Martinez Ocasio, Pittsburg Unified School District, Foothill Elementary School
- Dima Khoury, San Ramon Valley Unified School District, Neil Armstrong Elementary School
- Don Busboom, San Ramon Valley Unified School District, San Ramon Valley High School
- Kristen Giangregorio, Walnut Creek School District, Walnut Heights Intermediate School
- Zsarleen Posadas, West Contra Costa Unified School District, Montalvin Manor Elementary School
- Kaitlin Marchesi, West Contra Costa Unified School District, Vista Virtual Academy
- Mark Wong, Contra Costa County Community College District, Contra Costa College
Notes regarding eligible participants:
- 17 of the 18 Contra Costa County school districts (and CCCOE) are participating in this year’s TOY program.
- Each year, one instructor from Contra Costa Community College District is submitted to the TOY program for their outstanding body of work with their designated college. The colleges rotate each year between Diablo Valley, Los Medanos, and Contra Costa. These instructors do not compete in the State Teacher of the Year competition but will be recognized at the Contra Costa County Teacher or the Year Celebration.
- Mt. Diablo, San Ramon Valley, and West Contra Costa unified school districts are permitted to submit two TOY candidates due to the large number of students and teachers they serve.
For more information on the Contra Costa County Teachers of the Year program or to donate, visit cocoschools.org/toy. Follow CCCOE on social media at @cocoschools
About Contra Costa County Office of Education
One of 58 counties in California, Contra Costa County has the 11th largest public-school student population in the state (approximately 169,394 students). Officially established in 1932, CCCOE has a long history of providing direct services to some of our county’s most vulnerable students, including young people who are incarcerated, homeless, or in foster care, as well as students who have severe physical or emotional challenges.
CCCOE also provides support services to schools and school districts in Contra Costa County; services that can be handled most effectively and economically on a regional basis rather than by each of the county’s 287 schools or 18 school districts. These services range from budget approval and fiscal support to technology infrastructure, communication support, and high-level professional development opportunities for educators. CCCOE maintains a website at www.cocoschools.org.
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