SRVUSD Teachers Are Finalists For California Teacher Of The Year

SAN RAMON VALLEY, CA — Two San Ramon Valley Unified School District teachers have advanced to the state level in California's Teacher of the Year program.

Sarah Clancy, a Live Oak Elementary fifth grade teacher, and Courtney Konopacky, a Stone Valley Middle School eighth grader, were chosen as the Contra Costa County Office of Education's top two picks, the district said in a news release. Clancy and Konopacky were also the district's top two — SRVUSD nominates an elementary and secondary teacher each year.

The county education office uses a point-based system to decide who advances. Clancy and Konopacky were the highest point-getters after giving a speech to a panel and discussing teaching philosophy and techniques during interviews, the district said.

“The learner-centered environments that they have created represent the best of education, not only in California, but beyond, and I congratulate them on this honor," said incoming Superintendent John Malloy.

Clancy has been a Live Oak instructor for a decade. She works hard to meet students where they're at and develop curriculum that challenges all, the district previously said. She is concerned for the mental and emotional health of community members,

Konopacky is a campus leader who challenges students to meet high expectations, but thoughtfully guides conversations to promote critical thinking and growth, the district previously said. She is an advocate for developing standards-based grading work and has been involved in innovating social studies curriculum.

Next, Clancy and Konopacky will be reviewed by a California Department of Education selection committee. On-site classroom observation is usually part of the process, but teachers will submit a teaching video this year, the district said.

Read more about the duo here.