Fairmont teacher Nanci Buckingham’s educational philosophy is simple enough: She makes it her goal to teach every child. The idea is simple. Achieving it something else, particularly when you teach two grade levels at once.

Buckingham’s efforts have earned her top honors in the West Contra Costa Unified School District this year for her grade range, fourth through sixth grade. She has been selected as the school district’s Intermediate Teacher of the Year, and will move forward to competition at the county level.

Last year  a West Contra Costa teacher, Michelle Lamons from Pinole Valley High School, was selected as Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year.

“I really try to provide an education for every student,” said Buckingham. That means working with each child at whatever level they are, she explained, and moving them forward.

Buckingham has been with the district 25 years, about 15 of those at Fairmont.  She teaches a fifth-sixth grade combination class, what her principal, Galen Murphy, called one of the most difficult combinations.  Murphy said that particular combination is difficult because the social studies subjects (U.S. history and ancient civilizations) are very different, the fifth- and sixth-grade language arts books come from different publishers, and the fifth-graders need to prepare for a state science test. Buckingham also works with the school’s English language learners on their writing skills.

Murphy said Buckingham “just naturally differentiates,” using the term popular among educators for describing the process of tailoring instruction to individual needs.

Buckingham humbly said she simply uses good teaching practices.  Murphy agreed that Buckingham follows the commonly taught practice of presenting information, activating prior knowledge, providing guided practice, testing and assessing, then re-teaching as needed. But Murphy said Buckingham executes it particularly well and is also a quick study when it comes to absorbing new techniques, such as giving students a variety of ways to interact in the classroom that are more responsive to cultural differences. Murphy said Buckingham has also excelled at incorporating new techniques for helping students improve their vocabulary. “The kids have really embraced that,” Murphy said, which has led to improved “academic self esteem.”

 The school district asked teachers and administrators in January for nominations for Teachers of the Year.  The announcement from Nia Rashidchi, assistant superintendent educational services, called for  nominees who are "our best and brightest full time teachers who make a significant difference in the lives of the students they serve. They should display outstanding skill in:

• Effective first teaching that leads all students to high levels of achievement 
• Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning that actively engages all students
• Providing safe and supportive classroom environments that encourage positive social growth
• Collaboration with peers and parents to move the school to high levels of achievement."

Candidates must be full-time teachers with at least 3 years experience.   

The district selects one primary (K-3), one intermediate (4-6), one middle school, and one high school Teacher of the Year.  Two of those honorees move on to the county program.