Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility for the California Teachers of the Year Program is limited to candidates who are successful as finalists in their local county competitions and meet any of the following criteria:
- Fully credentialed teachers in public or private schools who teach any of pre-kindergarten through grade twelve
- Library media teachers who collaboratively plan and teach with classroom teachers
- Teachers of adults who provide instruction in the same curriculum as those who teach in elementary or secondary grades
- Instructors who have some administrative responsibilities for whom teaching is the applicant's primary responsibility
Application Process
Candidates for the California Teachers of the Year Program compete in the state program as nominees of county offices of education. Most county offices of education have a Teacher of the Year Coordinator. In many counties, candidates first prevail in local district competitions.
Some districts establish their own processes for selecting exemplary teachers. These teachers, in turn, advance to the county office recognition program. Such programs generate the primary base of applicants at the state level.
Interested applicants should find out if the local district and the county have a Teacher of the Year program, and how the two recognition processes coalesce and link to the state program. Candidates from private schools as well as candidates being sponsored by professional organizations should also submit their applications to the county office.
Selection Process
The state selection process begins with candidates whose names are submitted by county offices of education. Selection consists of three phases:
- Review of the written application
- Site visit to the school and classroom
- Interview with the State Superintendent of Public Instruction or his designee
To evaluate the application, the CDE convenes a selection committee consisting of administrators, professional organizations, and teachers -- primarily the latter. These teachers are often former state Teachers of the Year. The committee evaluates all applications within the context of the following characteristics:
- Professional growth -- college-level education, professional development activities, in-service training, and record of teaching and related experience
- Commitment -- efforts to help colleagues enhance and improve their skills and strategies; involvement in educational development activities in the school and outside of school; and participation in civic and community affairs
- Personal attributes -- leadership and effective participation in group activities; creativity in approaching problems and challenges; and proficiency in communicating ideas clearly, concisely, and effectively
- Professional skills -- delivering a program of instruction and ongoing assessment based on state standards; using appropriate instructional strategies, methods, and materials to fulfill teaching objectives; providing timely and accurate assessments of student progress; communicating progress in a positive manner; using appropriate classroom management techniques that promote a suitable learning environment; modeling to students and parents a belief in the equity of all students regardless of gender, religious preference, economic status or racial, ethnic, or linguistic background; assisting students in developing effective interpersonal skills and positive self-images; and meeting a wide range of professional responsibilities for self-growth and the development of the educational community
Up to 15 applicants, as determined by committee consensus, are scheduled to receive a site visit by a team of teachers. These practitioners observe classroom teaching, including how the applicant adjusts instruction when necessary.
Following the site visits, up to 10 applicants advance to a third phase. In this phase, applicants travel to Sacramento where they are interviewed by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction or his designee. In the interview, candidates are evaluated largely for their ability to articulate and to respond to current educational issues as representatives of the teaching profession.
From this process, five teachers are named by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction as California Teachers of the Year. Applicants selected are those judged best able to meet the varied situations, demands, and challenges on behalf of teachers in the state. One teacher is selected to serve as the state's representative to the National Teacher of the Year Program. All decisions are final.
