Pleasant Hill, Calif.—Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Lynn Mackey revealed the finalists for the 2025-26 Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year Program in surprise classroom announcements on Tuesday.
The finalists are as follows:
- Dima Khoury (San Ramon Valley Unified School District/Neil Armstrong Elementary School)
- Kaitlin Marchesi (West Contra Costa Unified School District/Vista Virtual Academy)
- Rosa Martinez Ocasio (Pittsburg Unified School District/Foothill Elementary School)
- Corey Spainhower (Liberty Union High School District/Liberty High School)
These exceptional educators were selected as finalists from a pool of 22 candidates nominated by their respective school districts, the Contra Costa County Office of Education, and the Contra Costa Community College District. County Superintendent of Schools Lynn Mackey, along with school principals, administrators, district superintendents, parent leaders, and the educators’ families and colleagues, visited Khoury, Marchesi, Martinez Ocasio, and Spainhower at their schools to deliver the surprise announcements.
“The dedication and passion these four educators bring to public education in Contra Costa County is truly outstanding and inspiring,” Superintendent of Schools Lynn Mackey said. “They each have made a profound impact on their students and school communities. Along with their district superintendents, I congratulate these educators on being selected as finalists for the 2025-26 Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year Program. The work they do daily in the classroom exemplifies the excellence we strive for in our schools, and I look forward to celebrating their achievements at the Teachers of the Year celebration this fall.”
From these finalists, two will be selected as Contra Costa County Teachers of the Year. The much-anticipated announcement will take place at the 53rd annual Contra Costa County Teachers of the Year celebration in September.
Dima Khoury is a resource teacher at Neil Armstrong Elementary School. Born in the Middle East, Khoury initially pursued a career in dentistry, earning a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in Jordan. After moving to the United States 27 years ago, Khoury transitioned to teaching, driven by a passion for working with students and advocating for educational equity.
“Teaching is more than a career for me; it is my purpose,” Khoury said. “My journey from dentistry to special education has been guided by a deep-rooted belief that every child deserves an equitable education, a strong advocate, and a safe space to learn and grow. I remain committed to refining my practice, supporting students and families, and working collaboratively with colleagues and parents to ensure that all children, regardless of their circumstances, have the opportunity to succeed.”
Khoury holds degrees in Education, Special Education, and Public Administration, and began her teaching career as a substitute in 2014. She is actively involved in community initiatives, including the San Ramon Valley Council of PTAs and various district-level committees, where she champions policies that support student success.
Kaitlin Marchesi thought she wanted to pursue law school, but a stint as a substitute teacher unveiled her passion for helping students grow. Now a seasoned educator with 16 years of experience, her forte is special education for grades 7-12. She serves as a Special Education Teacher and Lead Teacher at Vista K12 Virtual Academy. Throughout her career, Marchesi has demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting students with disabilities and creating equitable learning environments.
“Teaching requires passion, perseverance, and a commitment to students,” Marchesi said. “But the rewards–watching a student gain confidence, breaking down systemic barriers, and collaborating with educators–are invaluable. If you are considering teaching, know this profession will challenge you in unexpected ways. But it will inspire you beyond measure.”
Marchesi holds a master’s degree in special education from Loyola Marymount University and an Educational Leadership Certificate from Clark Atlanta University. She also organizes community engagement activities, including book drives and collaborations with local organizations such as Milo, Urban Tilth, and Richmond Build.
With over 20 years of teaching experience, Rosa Martinez-Ocasio is a Spanish Dual Immersion teacher at Foothill Elementary School. She holds a master’s degree in educational administration and leadership from the University of Turabo and a bachelor’s degree in education with a concentration in Science from the University of Puerto Rico.
Her leadership and collaborative spirit have made a significant impact on the school community, fostering a culture of shared responsibility and effective learning.
“Anyone who enters my classroom can see my students working in groups, using their own voice, taking notes, laughing, singing, dancing, or talking about life,” Martinez-Ocasio said. “It is evident that my students are developing a sense of autonomy which will shape their leadership in and out of the classroom.”
Beyond her teaching duties, Martinez-Ocasio actively engages in the A.B.C. club she founded at her school to help bilingual students enhance their Spanish language skills through arts, dance, and singing activities. She works alongside teachers and families to coordinate performances that bring joy and identity to the diverse community she serves.
Corey Spainhower, Science Department Chair at Liberty High School, has more than 23 years of teaching experience. With a B.S. in Biochemistry, an ECAP Teaching Credential, a California Teaching Credential, and an M.S. in Biochemistry, Spainhower has taught various science courses, including Chemistry, Biology, Forensics, and AP Chemistry.
“I never planned to become a teacher,” Spainhower said. “As a first-generation college student, I was always obsessed with science. I remember watching ‘Medicine Man’ as a child and deciding that I was going to get a degree in Biochemistry and move to South America and become a famous researcher who discovered the cure for AIDS or cancer. While in graduate school, I was a teaching assistant in an Organic Chemistry Lab and THIS is what changed my career path. I loved making chemistry something that could be easily understood. I loved teaching concepts that were difficult and helping students who traditionally would not see themselves as ‘scientists’ feel confident in chemistry.”
Spainhower’s hands-on teaching style and commitment to student success have led to significant growth in her AP Chemistry program. She fosters empathy and kindness in the learning environment and actively participates in organizing science fairs, field trips, and community events.
Besides being active on her high school campus, Spainhower brings her classes to elementary and middle schools to showcase science in action with the hope of inspiring younger students and getting them excited about STEM. She believes removing the barriers to higher education and showing students, they have options is essential in her community.
Notes regarding eligible participants:
- 18 of the 19 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 representative rotates each year between Diablo Valley College, Los Medanos College, and Contra Costa College. 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.
- Due to the larger number of students and teachers in their districts, the Mt. Diablo, San Ramon Valley, and West Contra Costa unified school districts are allowed to submit two TOY candidates.
For more information on the Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year program or to donate, visit https://www.cccoe.k12.ca.us/Departments–Schools/Departments/Communications/Teachers-of-the-Year/Our-SponsorsDonate-to-the-Teacher-of-the-Year-Program/index.html. 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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