Two first grade teachers are the Sacramento County Teachers of the Year 2017. The Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) made the announcement September 16 at a countywide teacher recognition dinner.
Nichole Harshbarger teaches 1st grade at Kingswood K-8 in the San Juan Unified School District. George Helms teaches 1st grade at Arnold Adreani Elementary School in the Elk Grove Unified School District. Both teachers are now eligible to advance to the statewide competition where five teachers will be chosen as California Teachers of the Year.
A selection committee comprised of education professionals, including previous Sacramento County Teachers of the Year, interviewed the local district Teachers of the Year and selected the two winners. All of the school districts within the County of Sacramento, local charter schools, and SCOE, are invited to participate in the program each year. Larger districts are eligible to nominate two teachers.
Outgoing Teachers of the Year Stephanie Smith (Sacramento City Unified) and Jennifer Ruby (Robla) announced the names of the honorees. Sacramento County Board of Education President Jacquelyn Levy presented the winners with the Elinor Lincoln Hickey Award of Merit, the highest honor bestowed by the County Board of Education. Robert Tamblyn, representing the Sacramento Scottish Rite Bodies of Freemasonry, awarded perpetual trophies to the County Teachers of the Year.
The 16 Sacramento-area teachers will be honored at two Teacher Appreciation Nights, one hosted by the Sacramento Kings and another hosted by the Sacramento River Cats.
Previous Sacramento County Teachers of the Year are listed online.
The Sacramento County Teachers of the Year Program is presented by SCOE in partnership with the Sacramento Kings, the Sacramento River Cats, Intel Corporation Folsom, SAFE Credit Union, and Sacramento Scottish Rite Bodies of Freemasonry.
