The nomination window is open for Parenting OC’s 2019 Top Teachers of Orange County Awards, and this year the magazine has added a new category — Top Classified Employee.
Sponsored by SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, the awards program is seeking principal-approved submissions from public and private K-12 schools throughout Orange County. Nominations, including a 400-word essay, can be submitted at www.parentingoc.com by Dec. 22.
This recognition is not to be confused with OCDE’s annual Orange County Teachers of the Year program, which holds a dinner celebration at the Disneyland Hotel each fall and advances its finalists to compete for state Teacher of the Year honors. (SchoolsFirst sponsors is that event’s premier sponsor as well.)
Last year, Parenting OC chose Donna Dowicki of Far Horizon Montessori in Orange as its Top Teacher of the Year, selecting from a pool of more than 130 submissions. Dowicki was later honored at a special reception.
The 2019 top teacher and classified employee — these are non-certificated workers that support school and district operations — will similarly be decided by the publication’s editorial staff, which will announce the winners in February at Bowers Museum in Santa Ana.
The Top Teacher will also grace the cover of Parenting OC’s March 2019 issue, which will feature more than two dozen local finalists, highlighting their special achievements, dedication and creativity in developing programs that benefit local students.
For more information on the awards program, contact Ricklyn Hukriede at 714-630-4510, Ext. 6 or Ricklyn@parentingoc.com.