The Modesto Rotary Club and the Stanislaus County Office of Education (SCOE) announced the selection of four local educators as 2024 Stanislaus County Teachers of the Year at the Modesto Rotary luncheon on May 7 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Modesto. In addition, a Jane Johnston Civility Award was presented to one of the 12 finalists for exemplifying the principles of civility.
The 2024 Teachers of the Year are Raman Kang from La Rosa Elementary School in the Ceres Unified School District – TK-3rd level; Nancy Barajas from Fairview Elementary School in the Modesto City Schools District – 4-6th level; Aaron Salazar from Ustach Middle School in the Sylvan Union School District – junior high level; and Dave Zylstra from Hughson High School in the Hughson Unified School District – high school level.
The four selected as Teachers of the Year each received a $1,000 cash award from the Modesto Rotary Club Foundation. Mocse Credit Union also sponsored the event and provided funding for the awards.
The Jane Johnston Civility Award was presented to Aaron Salazar from Ustach Middle School in the Sylvan Union School District. Salazar received a $1,000 cash award from the Education Foundation of Stanislaus County for exemplifying one of the 12 traits of civility. The Civility Award is in honor of Jane Johnston, former SCOE Assistant Superintendent and Education Foundation member.
This is the 25th year that Modesto Rotary and SCOE have joined efforts to honor teachers in Stanislaus County. The program not only honors local teachers and celebrates excellence in education, but also provides an opportunity for teachers to receive state and national recognition. All four Teachers of the Year will go on to represent Stanislaus County in the State Teacher of the Year Program. One state winner then proceeds to the national level.
“It’s an honor to partner with Modesto Rotary for 25 years to recognize outstanding teachers – each who helps inspire and shape the lives of students in our county each and every day,” said County Superintendent of Schools Scott Kuykendall.
Sponsors of the Stanislaus County Teacher of the Year program include the Modesto Rotary Club Foundation, Stanislaus County Office of Education and Mocse Credit Union, with additional awards provided by the Association of Stanislaus County School Boards.