Education took center court before thousands of cheering and supportive fans as Sacramento County's Teachers of the Year 2012 were honored at Power Balance Pavilion on Sunday, March 11, during the Sacramento Kings/Atlanta Hawks game.
The two reigning Sacramento County Teachers of the Year, Nicole Naditz, who teaches French at Bella Vista High School in the San Juan Unified School District, and Robert Brewer, who teaches math and physics at Florin High School in the Elk Grove Unified School District, were among the thirteen honorees at center court.
All of the Teachers of the Year were featured during a special halftime ceremony witnessed by the crowd at Power Balance Pavilion. Ivette Gonzalez, Director of Community Service for Maloof Sports and Entertainment, Mandy Mayer, Bank District Manager with program sponsor U.S. Bank, and Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) Communications Director Tim Herrera greeted the Teachers of the Year on the basketball court and presented them with awards.
Prior to the ceremony, the Kings hosted honorees and their guests at a pre-game reception and dinner. During the reception, Kings Assistant Coach Jim Eyen greeted the honorees, talked some basketball strategy, and thanked the teachers for their commitment to education.
"You're not only well respected, but you are admired and appreciated," Coach Eyen told the teachers.
Kings player Tyreke Evans also greeted the teachers during the pre-game event and posed for pictures with attendees.
SCOE coordinates the annual Teachers of the Year Program to recognize the achievements of local educators and to raise awareness of the valuable role that teachers play in the lives of their students and in the community. The program is presented in partnership with Maloof Sports and Entertainment, U.S. Bank, and the Sacramento Scottish Rite Bodies of Freemasonry.
Information about the Sacramento County Teachers of the Year Program is available online or by calling the Sacramento County Office of Education at (916) 228-2417.