West Sonoma County Teacher of the Year Awards
West Sonoma County Teacher of the Year Awards
Meet the four teachers who made the grade in Sebastopol Rotary's annual awards
“A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove…but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.” —Forest E. Witcraft
These were the opening words made by Jeanne Guerinoni, 5th grade teacher at Apple Blossom School and Rotary of Sebastopol’s Career Teacher for 2023. On Friday, April 14, Rotary of Sebastopol honored four exemplary and dedicated teachers for the 2022-2023 school year with a luncheon and cash awards of $1,000 each.
Each year, the Sebastopol Rotary Education Foundation seeks nominations from 13 schools in West Sonoma County of teachers who are making a difference in the education and lives of our students and community. Nominations may be made by administrators, teachers, school staff members, students, parents/guardians, and community members. This year, there were 34 nominations submitted in three categories:
New Teacher (5 years or less of teaching experience)
Career Teacher (more than 5 years of teaching experience)
Innovative/Collaborative Teachers
Every individual who submitted a nomination wrote a passionate and persuasive essay in support of their nominee. The Teacher of the Year Committee judged the nominees on enthusiasm for their job, interpersonal communication, creativity, innovation, collaboration, critical thinking, thoughtful execution of instruction, strategic and effective use of technology, as well as, the creation of a positive learning environment and a safe school community.
The Rotary of Sebastopol Teacher of the Year committee was delighted with the number of nominations in all three categories, but lamented the inability to give every teacher nominated recognition.
“It was difficult to choose but satisfying to know that West Sonoma County schools have so many great, caring, inspiring teachers making a difference in our students lives and community,” said Dana Moises, one of the members on the Teacher of the Year Committee.
Congratulations to the Teachers of the Year 2022-2023:
New Teacher: Casey Jones – Band Teacher at Analy High School
Career Teacher: Allie Brown – 4th Grade Teacher at Gravenstein Elementary School
Career Teacher: Jeanne Guerinoni – 5th Grade Teacher at Apple Blossom Elementary School
Innovative/Collaborative Teacher: Britt Machado – 7th/8th grade Math Teacher at Brook Haven Middle School
Casey Jones is the inspiring band teacher at Analy High School. He values the students, the Arts, and makes band fun, one student wrote. Mr. Jones brings with him many years of music education experience from high school to middle school, coaching, and summer music camps. He’s been an instructor and counselor at Cazadero Music Camp since 2006. A Sonoma County native, he is a music education graduate of Sonoma State University. As a musician, he’s performed all around the Bay Area, playing Dixieland clarinet with his band, the King Street Giants.
Allie Brown, a creative and passionate 4th grade teacher who loves to make a difference in a child’s life and strives to bring history and science to life. She takes her class on three overnight field trips each year. They visit Fort Ross, Coloma and the Gold Country to help augment what they have learned about early California history and to Point Reyes National Seashore to learn about the ecosystems and its health. Of her 19 years of teaching, Mrs. Brown has taught 15 of those years at Gravenstein Elementary School.
Jeanne Guerinoni is a dynamic, creative, and enthusiastic 5th grade teacher at Apple Blossom Elementary School. She challenges her students to be curious and creative, as well as, kind and respectful. She creates an environment where each student feels safe, seen, heard, and valued. She makes even the most challenging subjects exciting for her students and helps them get ready for the transition to Twin Hills Middle School. At the end of this school year, after having taught 28 years at Apple Blossom School, Mrs. Guerinoni will be retiring.
Britt Machado is a creative, engaging, and inspiring 7th/8th grade Math Teacher at Brook Haven Middle School who helps her students change their negative mindset about math to a positive growth mindset. Ms. Machado creates meaningful relationships with her students, fosters a safe and welcoming learning environment, and creates engaging and innovative lessons that showcase the real-world applications of mathematics. Her math classroom is inspiring even for the most math-phobic students.
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. Thank you for being involved in the lives of our youth and making a difference in our community. Please join Rotary in celebrating these four exemplary teachers at the Apple Blossom Parade, Saturday, April 29.
Submitted by the Sebastopol Rotary Education Foundation Teacher Of The Year Committee 2022-20223: Mia Del Prete Dana Moises Laura Victor Pauline Pellini Scott Briggs
In addition to the Teacher of the Year Awards, Sebastopol Rotary Education Foundation, a tax exempt 501c3 charity, funded the North Bay Construction Corps, a program of the North Coast Builders Exchange that introduces students to the construction trades, and a Wellness Class for freshmen and sophomore students at Analy High School, recognizing the mental health difficulties as a result of the Pandemic. The Rotary Club also funds the Second Grade Swim Program, Mark Sell Mini Teacher Grants, Overcoming Obstacles Program, and the Interact Clubs at Twin Hills Middle School, Brook Haven Middle School, and Analy High School.