West Sonoma County Teacher of the Year Awards

The Sebastopol Rotary Education Foundation funds the Teacher of the Year Awards.

The goal of these awards is to recognize the skills and dedication of West County teachers who engage our children and provide the kind of education experience that will be the foundation for a productive and happy life.

Starting in 2020, we changed our selection criteria.  There are now three awards:

• New Teacher (3 years or less of teaching experience)

• Innovative/Collaborative Teachers (2 or more teachers who worked collaboratively on a project)

• Career Service Teacher (more than 3 years of teaching experience)

Each year the Education Foundation asks parents, teachers, administrators, students, and community members associated with every elementary and secondary school in West County to nominate teachers who have had a great career, who have shown promise in their first three years in the profession and who have championed innovations that have improved instruction or school life.

The winners were:

• Career Service Teacher of the Year: Sally Briggs, Apple Blossom Art Teacher.  Sally Briggs has been a gifted teacher for 48 years: Switzerland, New England and northern California.  Her recent 28 years have been dedicated to Sonoma County; Sebastopol Union School District, Analy High School, Petaluma, Rohnert Park and she is currently teaching at Apple Blossom School with the Twin Hills School District.  She has provided art for many community projects which includes the Ceres Project, Empty Bowls and Rotary.

• New Teacher of the Year: Mei Ibach, West County High School Culinary Arts Teacher. Mei Ibach is a chef extraordinaire who introduces her students to new foods, food science and provides inspiration to her students with the possibility of pursuing a career in culinary arts.

• Innovative Teachers of the Year: Walt Hays, West County High School MAKE and Computer Science Teacher and Andy Del Monte, West County High School Choir and Physical Education Teacher.  Walt Hays and Andy Del Monte are the two (2) Innovative/Collaborative teachers who developed, implemented and led students in executing the Holiday Light Show displayed on the West County High School building for multiple weeks over the Winter Holidays.  The innovative project had a positive impact on the students involved and was also a gift to the West County community, including the greater Sonoma County community.

Each winner of the awards receive $1000 for their personal use.  In addition, all of the teachers had two separate recognitions: First, they were surprised by Foundation members who came to school to surprise the winners with the announcement of their award.  Then, all the winners came to a Rotary Club meeting where they were introduced and praised by both members of the awards committee and their principal.

A special thank you to all who took the time to submit a nomination, including those of you who are involved in and support the education of our youth.

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From Left to right: WSCUHSD In-coming Superintendent Chris Meredith, wife of Andy Del Monte Kristen Del Monte, Award Recipient Sally Briggs, daughter of Sally Briggs, Rotarian Scott Briggs, WCHS Vice Principal Dani Barese, Award Recipient Andy Del Monte, WCHS Principal Shauna Ferdinandson, Award Recipient Walt Hays, Award Recipient Mei Ibach, Rotarian and WSCUHSD Director of Human Resources Mia Del Prete, Wife of Rotarian Jim Pacatte Rosie Pacatte, and Rotarian Jim Paccatte.