West Sonoma County Teacher of the Year Award
The Sebastopol Rotary Education Foundation, a tax-exempt 501c3 charity, has been recognizing outstanding teachers since 2007 with a cash award and a luncheon banquet in their honor. Students, alumni, parents, community members, and educators from across West Sonoma County are invited to submit nominations for the "Teacher of the Year" recognition program. Teachers from public schools (including charter schools) and private schools located in West Sonoma County may be nominated. Each "Teacher of the Year" receives a $1,000 cash award and is recognized, along with their guests, at a Sebastopol Rotary Club luncheon.
Beginning in 2019-2020, SREF honors one teacher of the year in each of these categories:
Beginning in 2019-2020, SREF honors one teacher of the year in each of these categories:
- New Teacher
- Innovative Teacher
- Career Service Teacher
2019-2020 Awards
The Sebastopol Rotary Education Foundation (SREF) is pleased to honor 2019-2020 Teacher of the Year:
Mary Jo Kinser, Pleasant Hill Christian School for a career of great performance and leadership; Sydnee Mardell, Twin Hills Charter Middle School for her stellar performance as a new teacher; and Joe Maloney, Laguna HIgh School for his innovations to improve curriculum and career opportunities
Read the Full Press Release Here
Mary Jo Kinser, Pleasant Hill Christian School for a career of great performance and leadership; Sydnee Mardell, Twin Hills Charter Middle School for her stellar performance as a new teacher; and Joe Maloney, Laguna HIgh School for his innovations to improve curriculum and career opportunities
Read the Full Press Release Here
Mary Jo Kinser (Career Service Teacher)
Pleasant Hill Christian School

Mary Jo Kinser of Pleasant Hill Christian School has been teaching there for 38 years. She is a founding teacher of the school. Over the years, she has become known for both her high standards and her loving attitude for her students and her leadership with her fellow faculty members..
Sydnee Mardell (New Teacher)
Twin Hills Charter Middle School
Twin Hills School District

Sydnee Mardell of Twin Hills Charter Middle School has demonstrated great enthusiasm, a terrific work ethic, and a love of students every day since she first set foot on campus. She has brought with her great understanding of how to use technology to improve education, and she has shown real leadership in solving school challenges, like how to continue teaching in a stay at home environment.
Joe Maloney (Innovative Teacher)
Laguna High School
West Sonoma County Union High School District

Joe Maloney of Laguna High School has for many years sought to give his students new and exciting career paths. Most recently, he facilitated the opening of a chapter of the North Bay Construction Corps in West County, and he serves as its faculty member.
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2018-2019Julie Aiello, Kindergarten, Parkside School
Tim Forslund, Social Studies, Analy High School Amanda Reece, Special Education, West Sonoma County Special Education Consortium Sonoma West Times Article 2017-2018Jolene Johnson, Dance Teacher, El Molino High School
Karen McKenna, 6th Grade English and History, Twin Hills Middle School Jeff Stucker, 6th Grade English and History, Brook Haven School Sonoma West Times Article |
2016-2017Kate O'Brien,Kindergarten, Sunridge School
Sara Gramm, 3rd Grade, Parkside School Adam Alcorn, Special Education, Analy High School Sonoma West Times Article 2015-2016Nicole Ellwood, Special Education Twin Hills Middle School
Katya Robinson, West Sonoma County Special Education Consortium Walt Hayes, Applied Arts & Technology, Analy High School Sonoma West Times Article 2014-2015Sunny Galbraith, Orchard View School
Greg Corby, Brook Haven School Mike Roan, El Molino High School Sonoma West Times Article |
2013-2014Mary Fitch, Physical Sciences, Twin Hills Charter School
Sarah Prosser, 4th Grade, Sun Ridge Waldorf School Lynn Stewart, English Language Learners, El Molino High School 2012-2013Andy DelMonte, Choir, Analy High School
John Thomas, English, El Molino High School 2011-2012Gianna De Persis Vona, English, Laguna High School
Rachel Lasek, Math, El Molino High School |
2009-2010Joe Compagno, Science, Analy High School
Vance Regan, Instrumental Music, Analy High School 2008-2009Bill Olzman, Social Studies/English, El Molino High School
Lynette Williamson, English/Rhetoric, Analy High School 2007-2008John Grech, Social Studies, El Molino High School
Cathy Wiese, Special Eduaction, Analy High School |