County names two Teachers of the Year at Concord gala

Contra Costa County civic leaders and public educators gathered in Concord this week to celebrate the county's finest instructional leaders during the 54th Annual Teachers of the Year Gala. Hosted by the Contra Costa County Office of Education at the Concord Hilton, the formal evening celebration recognized outstanding classroom teachers nominated by public school districts from Richmond to Brentwood. Highlighting the evening's presentations, County Superintendent of Schools Lynn Mackey formally announced two exemplary educators as the 2026 Contra Costa County Teachers of the Year, advancing them as official county representatives in the statewide competition.

The annual recognition program shines a bright spotlight on the transformative influence exceptional educators exert on thousands of children and families across East Bay neighborhoods. Honorees were commended for designing rigorous STEM curricula, supporting English language learners, establishing campus mental health mentorships, and closing instructional opportunity gaps in under-resourced public schools. Civic leaders emphasized that investing in classroom teaching talent elevates regional public schools, directly strengthening neighborhood stability and economic opportunity throughout central Contra Costa communities.

Established more than a half-century ago, the Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year program operates under the direction of the county board of education in coordination with the California Department of Education. The competitive annual selection process involves rigorous classroom observations, educator essays, and interviews conducted by a blue-ribbon committee of local trustees, parent leaders, and former award recipients. Over decades of county educational history, local finalists have repeatedly earned distinction at state and national levels, reflecting the high instructional standards maintained across the region's eighteen school districts.

Held inside the Grand Ballroom of the Concord Hilton at 1970 Diamond Boulevard, the Thursday evening gala drew more than 400 attendees, including eighteen district nominees, local mayors, school board members, and corporate education sponsors. During the formal ceremony, which commenced with a community reception at 6:00 PM followed by an awards dinner at 7:00 PM, each nominated educator received formal certificates of recognition and a commemorative county medallion. The county education office, based at 77 Santa Barbara Road in Pleasant Hill, coordinates the event program and provided logistical administration through the superintendent's communications staff at (925) 942-3388.

The two newly crowned county teachers of the year will participate in statewide evaluation panels and classroom reviews conducted by California Department of Education judges throughout the coming winter months. The county office of education has posted recorded gala highlights, nominee video portraits, and school district commendations on its official educational portal. Community members and school families wishing to congratulate the honorees or learn about nominating a teacher for the upcoming 2027 awards cycle can contact their local school district office or visit the county superintendent's website for program guidelines.