The San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE) is excited to announce that Maria Ravelo has been named the 2024 San Joaquin County Teacher of the Year.
As San Joaquin County Teacher of the Year, Ravelo received $1,000 from Self-Help Federal Credit Union. Ravelo’s nomination will now be submitted to the state for consideration as California Teacher of the Year.
Ravelo has 30 years of teaching experience. She currently teaches seventh grade at Mossdale Elementary School (Manteca Unified School District). A product of Manteca Unified schools, herself, Ravelo was a student of Lathrop Elementary and East Union High schools before attending the University of the Pacific. "This love of education has led Maria to a life of service, giving back to the community that raised her," wrote Mossdale Elementary Principal Anthony Chapman when nominating Ravelo. "She has served in countless leadership and mentorship roles for both students and staff, using her quiet, yet powerful, demeanor to inspire those around her."
Ravelo is part of the "backbone" of the teaching staff at Mossdale Elementary and someone who epitomizes the profession of teaching and learning, Chapman wrote. "Students in her class feel safe, respected, and supported," he wrote. "Simply stated, she cares about kids and dedicates everything she has to help them succeed."
The announcement was the culminating moment at the 2024 San Joaquin County Classified Employees, School Counselor, and Teacher of the Year Awards Celebration Dinner, held at the SJCOE on Thursday, April 11. The annual awards honor the best of the best in the education profession and celebrate the talented, caring, and committed educators and school personnel who make a difference in the lives of their students and the community.
Watch videos of all honorees on the SJCOE YouTube page.
Pictures from awards dinner posted on SJCOE Facebook page.
The SJCOE announced the county Classified School Employees of the Year and School Counselor of the Year winners earlier this year. Each winner received $500 from Self-Help Federal Credit Union. Teacher of the Year finalists also received $500 from Self-Help Federal Credit Union.
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY SCHOOL COUNSELOR OF THE YEAR
Jordan Blevins
Grade-level: 9-12
Years of experience: 5
School: Pacific Law Academy
District: Stockton Unified School District
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY TEACHER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
Joann Tavaziva
Grade-level: 9-12
Years of experience: 30
School: Venture Academy Family of Schools
Organization: San Joaquin County Office of Education
San Juana Rosales
Grade-level: 6
Years of experience: 9
School: Monte Vista Middle School
District: Tracy Unified School District
Maria Ravelo
Grade-level: 7
Years of experience: 30
School: Mossdale Elementary School
District: Manteca Unified School District
Heather Haley-Baden
Grade-level: 5
Years of experience: 17
School: Waterloo Middle School
District: Linden Unified School District
Julie Carniglia
Grade-level: 7-8
Years of experience: 31
School: Lodi Middle School
District: Lodi Unified School District
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES OF THE YEAR
CLERICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Miriam Soto
Job title: Library Media Clerk
Years in current position: 8
School: Weston Elementary School
District: Ripon Unified School District
FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICES
Jeffrey Irving
Job title: Food Service Assistant
Years in current position: 30
School: Franklin High School
District: Stockton Unified School District
CUSTODIAL AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES
Jason Cheeseman
Job title: Utility Person, Custodian and Security
Years in current position: 10
School: North Elementary School
District: Tracy Unified School District
HEALTH AND STUDENT SERVICES
Reneé Villarreal
Job title: Student Services Technician
Years in current position: 5
Organization: San Joaquin County Office of Education
PARAPROFESSIONAL
Sherry Hurd
Job title: Special Day Class Paraprofessional
Years in current position: 15
School: Jefferson School
District: Jefferson Elementary School District
SKILLED TRADES
Michael Lehr
Job title: Construction/Energy Technician
Years in current position: 5
District: Manteca Unified School District
TRANSPORTATION
Tricia Johnston
Job title: Bus Driver
Years in current position: 11
District: Linden Unified School District
SECURITY SERVICES
Lorena Casillas
Job title: Campus Security Assist
Years in current position: 6
School: McKinley Elementary School
District: Stockton Unified School District
TECHNICAL SERVICES
Favian Moreno
Job title: Hardware Support Technician
Years in current position: 25
Organization: San Joaquin County Office of Education