Miramonte High School Teacher Named 'Teacher Of The Year'

LAMORINDA, CA —Kristen Plant of Miramonte High School is one of two 2021-2022 Contra Costa County Teachers of the Year, County Superintendent of Schools Lynn Mackey announced Thursday.

The other teacher is Michelle Wilson of Dougherty Valley High School.

The Teacher of the Year Program seeks to honor and recognize teachers throughout the county for the amazing work they do every day.

“Congratulations to Contra Costa County’s newest Teachers of the Year,” Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Lynn Mackey said. “This community thanks Kristen Plant and Michelle Wilson for being such stellar representatives of the teaching profession and we wish them luck as they participate in the state Teacher of the Year program. All 21 teachers who were honored this evening and each of their colleagues throughout the county deserve thanks and appreciation for the work they do to support students, especially in this unique and challenging time.”

Plant is the first recipient of the award from the Acalanes Union High School District.

She is a 19-year veteran at Miramonte High School and is currently teaching English and Visual and Performing Arts.

A former speech competitor, she leads a nationally recognized public speaking and debate program which operates as both an academic elective and an extracurricular competitive speech and debate team.

Plant is a graduate of Georgetown University and earned her teaching credential at Cal State East Bay.

According to the county, she holds leadership positions in several associations including the National Speech and Debate Association, and the California High School Speech Association (CHSSA).

Plant was named CHSSA Coach of the Year in 2016.

She is also recognized as being a “tireless and compassionate advocate for racial equity on her campus,” AUHSD Associate Superintendent Amy McNamara said. “She is one of the teachers I most admire in the district: she is thoughtful, positive, steps up to leadership opportunities, and is always thinking about how to make Miramonte High School a great place for all students.”

“As a public speaking teacher, Ms. Plant goes above and beyond to support her students,” Miramonte high school senior Isabelle Bennette, who also introduced Plant in a broadcast announcement Thursday night, said. “While in Public Speaking, I developed confidence and writing due, in large part, to Ms. Plant’s guidance. She has been an incredible ally to marginalized student groups. Ms. Plant creates an atmosphere of empowerment, trust, and hope for all her students to grow and strive in.”

Plant and Wilson go on to represent Contra Costa County at the California State Teacher of the Year competition. The State Teachers of the Year are expected to be announced in mid-October.

The county teacher of the year program is coordinated by the Contra Costa County Office of Education and supported by:

• Chevron, Title Sponsor
• Lesher Community Foundation, Visionary Sponsors
• Martinez Refinery Company, Visionary Sponsors
• Saint Mary’s College of California, Visionary Sponsors