09/20/2024 -
County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Amie Carter celebrated Jen Uken, Sonoma County’s Teacher of the Year for 2024, on Wednesday, Sept. 18, in a recognition ceremony at the Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE). The event also recognized finalist Shala Pace of Thomas Page Academy in the Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District as well as five nominees.
From left, Scott Johnson, chief executive officer of Community First Credit Union; Monika Besancon, chief operating officer at Community First; Teacher of the Year Jen Uken; Albert F. Biella Elementary Principal Michael Jablonski, Santa Rosa City Schools Superintendent Dr. Daisy Morales; and Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Amie Carter pose for a photo on Sept. 18, 2024, at the Sonoma County Office of Education.
Uken, a bilingual 1st grade teacher at Albert F. Biella Elementary School in the Santa Rosa City Schools district, received a $3,000 check from event sponsor Community First Credit Union, as well as wine from Jackson Family Wines. She was first named Teacher of the Year in May.
“As a high school principal, I saw firsthand the radical impact a caring educator could have on students beyond the classroom,” Dr. Carter said. “I witnessed teachers taking homeless students into their homes, sitting beside a student as they filled out a college application, or inspiring hands-on learning through career education. Few people have the chance to change and influence a young person’s life the way a teacher can.”
Pace, who teaches English language arts, social science, and AVID to grades 6-8 at Thomas Page Academy, received a check for $1,500 and wine from Jackson Family Wines.
The nominees honored were Annette Dobler, a 6th and 7th grade teacher from Willowside Middle School; Stephanie Henry, a first grade teacher at Oak Grove Elementary; Shannan Johnson, who teaches math, science, English, history, economics, government, and health to 9th to 12th graders at North Bay Met Academy; Jacqueline Komrij, a kindergarten teacher at Apple Blossom School; and Kimberly Lloyd, who teaches 2nd grade as well as TK-8 special education classes at Two Rock Elementary.
Each nominee received a check for $100 from Community First as well as flowers.
The Teacher of the Year program is facilitated by SCOE and Dr. Carter. As Sonoma County’s 2023-24 Teacher of the Year, Uken will move on for consideration as a California Teacher of the Year for 2025. The California Department of Education announces state teachers of the year later this fall.
