PLEASANT HILL, Calif. — The Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE) recognized its 2026 Teachers of the Year and Classified School Employees of the Year at the Celebration of Excellence Awards reception held on March 10.
The awards are part of the California Department of Education’s California School Recognition Program and honor school employees whose work supports student success from preschool through adult education. Honorees represent a range of roles across agency programs.
“Congratulations and thank you to these 17 exceptional CCCOE employees,” County Superintendent of Schools Lynn Mackey said. “They represent the very best of our organization. Whether working directly in our programs or supporting the work behind the scenes, their dedication helps make everything we do possible.”
The 2026 Celebration of Excellence event brought together Superintendent Mackey, Board President Sarah Butler, administrators, labor partners, and colleagues to honor this year’s nominees and award recipients.
Five CCCOE employees advance to the county-level Classified School Employee of the Year competition on April 29: Occupational Therapist Emily Wright, Technology Training Advisor Brian Ehrhart, Education Liaison Gina Bills, Maintenance Worker II Dennis Watkins, and Program Accountant Suzanne Adams.
List of CCCOE’s Classified School Employee Nominees
- Alicia Franklin, Youth Services Specialist I, Youth Services
- Brian Ehrhart, Technology Training Advisor, Technology Services
- Dana Padilla, Administrative Assistant III, Youth Services
- Daniel Pomeroy, Itinerant Instructional Assistant, Special Education,Heritage High School
- Dennis Watkins, Maintenance Worker II, Marchus School
- Dona Foreman, Instructional Assistant, Special Education, Contra Costa Adult Schools
- Emily Wright, Occupational Therapist, Mauzy School
- Gina Bills, Education Liaison, Youth Services
- Gloria Morales, Custodian, Liberty High School
- Melody Yee, Lead Accounting and Payroll Specialist, Business Services
- Suzanne Adams, Program Accountant, Business Services
- Yvonne Beals, Education Liaison, Mt. McKinley
CCCOE has information online about the county’s Classified School Employee recognition program. The state’s Classified School Employee program webpage includes information about the nomination and application process.
Destiny Castellanos, a deaf and hard of hearing specialist, was named CCCOE’s Teacher of the Year. She represents the agency in the Contra Costa County Teachers of the Year program, with the county’s Teachers of the Year Dinner and Celebration being on September 18.
List of CCCOE’s Teacher of the Year Nominees
- Destiny Castellanos, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist, Special Education, Student Programs
- Evan Gravenmier, Adult Education Teacher, Mt. McKinley
- Shana Lindevald, Special Education Teacher, Liberty Transition
- Aster Tadesse, Adult Education Teacher, CC Adult School
- Wendee Weiss, Multiple Subjects Teacher, Golden Gate Community Schools
Information about the Contra Costa County Teachers of the Year program can be found on CCCOE’s website; details about California’s Teachers of the Year program is located on the California Department of Education website.
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 169,261 students). Officially established in 1932, CCCOE has a long history of providing direct services to some of the 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.