District and county Teachers of the Year 2000 became "all-stars" for the evening as they were honored by the Sacramento Kings and 17,000-plus fans in attendance at the Kings vs. Orlando Magic game Thursday, January 20, at ARCO Arena in Sacramento.
During halftime, the teachers were escorted to the basketball court to receive certificates of recognition presented by Kings owners Joe and Gavin Maloof and Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools Dr. David P. Meaney. The capacity crowd cheered as a video tribute to the teachers was shown on the ARCO Arena big-screen television.
Lower-level seats for each of the fourteen Teachers of the Year and his or her guest were provided by the Sacramento Kings. Prior to the game, the teachers and guests were treated by the Kings to a pre-game dinner in the ARCO Arena Skyline Lounge Restaurant.
Hundreds of teachers, parents, and students attended the game, having purchased tickets specially discounted for them by the Sacramento Kings. An information table on the ARCO Arena concourse provided details about the February 5 county-wide "parent education day" offering how-to workshops for community members wishing to become involved in area schools.
The Sacramento County Teachers of the Year Program is presented annually by the Sacramento County Office of Education. Sponsors include the Sacramento Kings/Knights/Monarchs, the Sacramento County School Boards Association, the Sacramento Kings Community Foundation, 3-D International, and the Sacramento Scottish Rite Bodies of Freemasonry. Information about the Teachers of the Year Program is available by contacting Dr. Niel Malvetti, Director/Training, Development, and Research at the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE): (916) 228-2223.