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A longtime teacher with the San Ramon Valley Unified School District is among the finalists in this year’s Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year awards, and up for the county-wide title that will be announced following the start of the next school year.
Kristy Candelaria was named as one of the four finalists in this year’s competition during a surprise visit to her classroom at John Baldwin Elementary School in Danville Friday morning, with the Contra Costa County Office of Education sharing the news in an announcement later that day.
“We are extremely proud of Kristy,” SRVUSD Superintendent John Malloy said in an announcement from the district on Wednesday. “She brings her passion for literacy and academic excellence to her classroom each day and provides students with a rich educational experience complete with compassion and care. Kristy is an outstanding teacher and I am so thrilled that she has received this very deserving honor.”
Candelaria is now set to compete for one of the two county-wide titles alongside the Orinda Unified School District’s Michelle Goode, Jennifer Martinez of the Pittsburg Unified School District and Nicole Vicknair of the Antioch Unified School District. The winners will be announced in a Sept. 19 celebration at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek.
The recognition comes following more than two decades on the job for Candelaria, who began teaching at SRVUSD in 2003.
“I always knew that I wanted to be a teacher, but my love of learning also drew me to marine biology, business, pre-med, art history, and psychology,” Candelaria said in CCOE’s announcement Friday.
While growing up in Wyoming, Candelaria said that she always enjoyed school – being in the classroom, completing school work and activities, and participating in her school communities. However, she wasn’t immediately drawn to working in education, instead pursuing other career options before ultimately determining that teaching was the right path for her.
Candelaria began her career in education with an emergency teaching credential that enabled her to begin working with fifth-graders. She went on to find her niche in literacy education as the mother of a son with dyslexia.
“Over the past decade, she has devoted herself to mastering effective literacy instruction to aid all students,” CCOE officials said in Friday’s announcement. “Sharing her expertise with colleagues and educators across the San Ramon Valley Unified School District, she remains driven by the transformative impact these methods have on young readers.”
While Candelaria has put her skills in literacy instruction to use across the district, it’s the second and third grade students at John Baldwin who are her primary focus.
“There is no other profession that is as challenging, motivating, and meaningful as teaching,” Candelaria said.
Candelaria was awarded the district Teacher of the Year title last month, alongside Iron Horse Middle School special education teacher and Cal High alumna Tori Witty, with SRVUSD being one of the three Contra Costa school districts being allowed to submit two candidates for the county-wide title. Outside of SRVUSD, Witty is also a longtime instructor at the San Ramon Valley Dance Academy.
The four finalists announced last week were selected from a pool of 22 nominees from districts throughout the county. The two winners of the county competition in September are set to move on to the statewide competition.
“These educators exemplify the essence of the teaching profession, demonstrating remarkable dedication and impact within their classrooms and school communities,” said Lynn Mackey, Contra Costa superintendent of schools. “Their commitment to the public-school students in Contra Costa County is truly commendable. We extend our gratitude for their invaluable contributions as educators.”