2021 Teacher of the Year Timeline:
Ventura County seeks to: Identify and honor exemplary and highly qualified teacher in Ventura County; Select one teacher to serve as Ventura County’s Teacher of the Year who will effectively represent Ventura County at the state's Teacher of the Year Program; Focus public attention on the positive accomplishments of Ventura County teachers and students.The Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE) invites school districts, charter schools, professional organizations, and private schools countywide to participate in the California Educator of the Year Program. This program highlights educational innovation, student learning, and the rewards of teaching. Further, the program attracts public attention to the positive aspects of our educational system.
Beginning in 1973, Ventura County began recognizing outstanding teachers. The program results in the annual selection of one teacher countywide who reflects the diversity of our teachers and students. The process pays tribute to Ventura County's teaching force, the complexity of challenges that confront our schools, and the need to promote collaboration and teamwork to meet those challenges. Ventura County honorees have gone on to be named State Teacher of the Year in 1994, 2003 and 2013. A complete list of past Ventura County recipients is available here.
Eligibility to the Ventura County Educator of the Year Program is limited to candidates who have been submitted to the Ventura County Office of Education by a school district, charter school, private school, or professional organization and that 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.