11/21/2024 -
Yessica Moran-Valencia, an earth science and health teacher at Montgomery High School in Santa Rosa, is the Sonoma County Teacher of the Month for November 2024.
The Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) and radio partners who help organize and promote the Teacher of the Month contest announced Moran as the winner during a surprise visit to a health class on Wednesday, Nov. 20. Several members of Moran’s family joined Santa Rosa City Schools Superintendent Daisy Morales, Montgomery Principal April Santos, and SCOE and district officials in surprising Moran along with partners from Amaturo Sonoma Media Group and Wine Country Radio.
Moran was selected from among dozens of nominations as the winning educator nominated by parents, students, and school staff from throughout Sonoma County. Nominations are solicited via on-air advertisements played by Amaturo Sonoma Media Group’s Hot 101.7 and Froggy 92.9, as well as Wine Country Radio’s Latino 100.9 and Exitos 98.7.
Both media groups partner with SCOE to offer the program, which celebrates extraordinary teachers who go above and beyond to provide students with quality education.
Moran, who speaks English and Spanish, started at Montgomery in 2021. She teaches earth science and launched a new career technical education pathway in healthcare this year. She is a faculty advisor to the MECha (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán) club as well as HOSA - Future Health Professionals and worked as a student teacher at Elsie Allen High School during the 2020-21 school year.
Nominations SCOE received for Moran highlighted her preparation and organizational skills and her work with students who are still learning English. They also praised her dedication to her students and participation in school and community events that celebrate Latino culture.
“Ms. Moran is a phenomenal teacher and dedicates a lot of time to see her students be successful,” one nomination read. “That’s why I believe she should be recognized for all her hard work!”
Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Amie Carter praised Moran’s leadership and support of her students.
“Ms. Moran’s huge impact on her students and passion for her work was a consistent theme across the nominations we received,” Carter said. “It’s inspiring to see the work she puts in to connect with her students and set them up for a career in the healthcare field, an area of great need in Sonoma County.”
Dr. Morales, the Santa Rosa City Schools superintendent, called Moran as a connector who empowers her students and makes them feel welcome.
“We are incredibly proud of teacher Yessica Moran-Valencia, who exemplifies our district's values of embracing, engaging, and empowering our students,” Dr. Morales said. “As her nominators shared, she is deliberate and intentional in fostering a culture of belonging in her classroom, ensuring every student feels valued, seen, and heard.”
Principal Santos referred to Moran as “the heart and soul of Montgomery High School, MEChA, and our Latino community. She exemplifies the Viking spirit in everything she does.”
As the winner of the Teacher of the Month contest, Moran was awarded with a $500 classroom gift card sponsored by Community First Credit Union, a six-month family membership from the Sonoma County Family YMCA in Santa Rosa, and $100 gift cards from Henry Mechanical and Bernstein Orthodontics.
Do you know a teacher who goes above and beyond for their students? Nominations for this program can be submitted at Hot 101.7, Froggy 92.9 , Exitos 98.7, and Latino 100.9.
