On Thursday, October 3, in the welcoming atmosphere of the Miners Foundry, nine outstanding teachers from Nevada County were honored by their school districts as Teachers of the Year. Among these exceptional educators, one was selected as the Nevada County Teacher of the Year.
The outstanding teachers honored at the annual dinner hosted by the Nevada County Superintendent of Schools (NCSOS) and the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), include:
(Photo- from left to right) William Omer, of Chicago Park School District; Julie Wright, of Pleasant Ridge Union School District; Amy Pugel, of Bitney Prep High School; Thomas McAtee, of Union Hill School District; Cheryl Blythe of Penn Valley Union Elementary School District; Tiffany Rae, of Nevada City School District; Katherine Ivy, of Grass Valley School District; Anna Thorell, of Nevada Joint Union High School District; and Pam Langley, of Twin Ridges School District.
“I have the privilege of working at the same school I attended, teaching alongside the educators who taught me, and I’ve realized most of what I do reflects them. Through all these teachers, I’ve learned valuable life lessons as a student, and career altering teaching practices as an adult. As we continue to expand the field of education, we must reach out to each other, learn from one another, fail in front of each other, and grow with one another. Teaching is a team sport and our most valuable resource is each other.” Thomas McAtee, Nevada County Teacher of the Year and Union Hill School District Teacher of the Year.
Established in 1972 by the California Department of Education, the Teachers of the Year Program honors educators who go above and beyond to foster student learning and inspire their peers through creativity and dedication. Participation in this program is voluntary, making it a distinct honor to be selected, as these teachers exemplify excellence in their respective fields of education.
“The dedication and passion shown by these educators is truly inspiring. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to each of them for their unwavering commitment to our students and their futures,” Scott W. Lay, Nevada County Supt. of Schools.
The presence of district and county administrators, school board members, local and state government representatives, colleagues, families, and friends demonstrated Nevada County’s strong commitment to supporting education. It was uplifting to see educators from various districts honored for their dedication to excellence in teaching.
Nevada County students added memorable touches to the evening. Faith Escoto, a junior from Bear River, served as the event photographer, while the Advanced Floral Design class from the CTE Department at Nevada Union High School created beautiful fall centerpieces that each district’s Teacher of the Year took home.
Events like this not only celebrate exceptional teachers but also remind us of the vital role educators play in shaping our future. Congratulations to Thomas McAtee, named Nevada County Teacher of the Year, and heartfelt applause to all the teachers recognized for their outstanding contributions to education.