Danville Educator One of Four Finalists Vying for Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — A Danville teacher is one of four finalists vying for the distinguished title of Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year. Joyce Rooks, a teacher at Creekside Elementary in Danville, is representing the San Ramon Valley Unified School District.

Those competing were recently asked to give a prepared three- to five-minute speech, titled: “What have I learned from my students.”

This year’s Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year finalists are:

Joyce Rooks began her career in teaching after serving as a senior programmer analyst/senior systems analyst for Mervyns, as well as an independent computer-training consultant. In about an hour, Joyce will begin her 14th year teaching for the San Ramon Valley Unified School District, where she has served as an instructor for Dougherty Valley High, California High, and Coyote Creek Elementary. She has been teaching first and second grades for the past five years at Creekside Elementary, in Danville.

Shauna Hawes teaches computer applications/technology to grades 6-8 at Valley View Middle School, in Pleasant Hill. The 18-year teacher has been with the Mt. Diablo Unified School District during her entire teaching career. Prior to her current position, Hawes taught 6th grade core (English, history, and reading) at Valley View. Before coming to Valley View, she taught 5th grade (all subjects) at Hidden Valley Elementary, in Martinez, from 1998-2007.

Gina Minder-Maldonado has recently begun her 26th year of teaching. For the past 18 years, Minder-Maldonado has taught at Oakley Elementary School, in Oakley. Currently teaching 2nd grade, Minder-Maldonado’s former teaching experience includes preschool through 5th, as well as adult education.

Last month, Summer Rodriguez had commenced her 17th year as an educator for Liberty High School, in Brentwood. Rodriguez has taught all levels of high school English, AP English language and composition, and AP English literature and composition. In addition to her education duties, she has served as director of the school’s student activities through its Student Leadership Program.

“Along with the tremendous speeches, we were very fortunate to have quite the distinguished judging panel,” reports CCCOE TOY Coordinator Jonathan Lance. “As the judges exited, they each said how impressed they were with the morning’s offerings!”

On the evening of September 22, 2016, all 21 participants, accompanied by their families, friends, and co-workers will be honored at the annual Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year Dinner Celebration, held at the Hilton Concord.

Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Karen Sakata, who serves as master of ceremonies, introduces the TOYs by sharing a special story that reflects her classroom visits of each teacher during the current spring and summer months. This will be followed by the four Teacher of the Year finalists giving their speeches to the filled banquet room (same speeches that were presented today). The night will close with the announcement of the two 2016-2017 Contra Costa County Teachers of the Year.

The two winners of the county TOY program will represent Contra Costa County in the California State TOY Program this coming fall.

For additional details about the CCCOE’s Teacher of the Year program, please visit this Web page.

Photo credit to June Stephens, CCCOE.
Caption: Teacher of the Year Finalists (l-r) Gina Minder-Maldonado, Oakley Union Elementary School District; Summer Rodriguez, Liberty Union High School District; Shauna Hawes, Mt. Diablo Unified School District; Joyce Rooks, San Ramon Valley Unified School District.