Diablo Vista Band Teacher Named As Teacher Of The Year Finalist

DANVILLE, CA — A teacher at Diablo Vista Middle School was named a Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year finalist.

Chavonta Edington joined three other Contra Costa teachers as finalists for the award, which honors exceptional local educators. The four were selected from a pool of 18 nominees.

Edington has taught instrumental music at Danville’s Diablo Vista Middle School for 16 years, according to a news release from the Contra Costa County Office of Education. She is a member of the California Band Directors Association and the California Orchestra Directors Association, and is a department and district curriculum leader.

Edington said she found refuge in the band room growing up in inner-city Los Angeles, and uses those experiences to form a teaching philosophy “centered around building trust and allowing students to take risks while making music in a supportive environment.”

Edington received the surprise announcement Tuesday, when Superintendent Lynn Mackey, Principal Becky Ingram, PTSA Vice President Velma Wilson, and others.

The two winners of the award will be announced at the 50th annual Contra Costa County Teachers of the Year celebration on Sept. 22 at Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek. See here to purchase tickets, or here to make a donation to the CCCOE’s Teacher of the Year program.

The three other finalists are:

• Serina Cullerton, a third and fourth grade teacher at Donald L. Rheem Elementary School in Moraga
• Paula Rathert, a second grade teacher at Murwood Elementary School in Walnut Creek
• Natasha Paul, an English teacher at Mt. Diablo High School in Concord

“Congratulations to our four 2022-23 Teacher of the Year finalists,” said Superintendent Mackey. “The four teachers were selected from a talented pool of educators who are all focused on providing an exceptional educational experience for their students, and serve in leadership roles at their school and school district communities. These teachers exemplify what teachers do every day which is go above and beyond for the education and well-being of their students.”