Sonoma County Office of Education

Teacher of the Year Program

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

  • Fully credentialed teacher for a minimum of eight years.
  • Currently assigned to teach students full-time; applicants may be assigned some administrative duties if teaching is the primary responsibility.
  • Assigned to teach students for the 2024-25 school year.
  • Administrators must complete the nomination form.
  • Nomination forms must be returned to Lacey Goff (lgoff@scoe.org).
  • DEADLINE: 4 p.m. on March 31, 2025.

Additionally, applicants must:

  • Have demonstrated leadership and innovation in and outside of the classroom walls that embodies lifelong learning.
  • Have expressed themselves in an engaging and articulate way.
  • Be available to fulfill ambassadorial duties during the year of service (if selected as California Teacher of the Year).
  • Have the support of their principal/employer.

Application Forms

All materials must be returned to:
Sonoma County Office of Education
Superintendent’s Office, Attn: Lacey Goff
5340 Skylane Blvd.
Santa Rosa, CA 95403

Teacher of the Year Application (fillable PDF) | 2025 TOY application (docx)

Scoring Rubric

Teacher of the Year Application Scoring Rubric