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Schools

West Contra Costa District Honors Four Teachers

Biology, social science and third grade teachers join Fairmont's Buckingham as Teachers of the Year

 A third grade teacher from Coronado, a Lovonya DeJean Middle School social science teacher, and a De Anza High biology teacher join as this year’s Teachers of the Year for the West Contra Costa Unified School District.

Darcy Long, a third-grade teacher at Coronado Elementary School in Richmond, was selected primary (kindergarten through third grade) Teacher of the Year. Buckingham, who teaches a fifth-sixth grade class at Fairmont Elementary School in El Cerrito, is the intermediate (grades 4-6) honoree. Morgan LaRue, a social science teacher at Lovonya DeJean in Richmond, was selected as the middle school winner, and Athena Kraus, a biology teacher at De Anza in Richmond, was chosen for the high school level.

Buckingham  and LaRue go on to competition at the county level. Last year, a West Contra Costa teacher, Michelle Lamons from Pinole Valley High School, was selected Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year.

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West Contra Costa’s Teachers of the Year will be honored at the April 13 school board meeting and at the county Teacher of the Year dinner Sept. 15, according to Harlan Kerr, the district’s coordinator of educational services.

According to a notice sent to teachers and administrators in January calling for nominations, district Teachers of the Year should exhibit effective and culturally responsive teaching, provide supportive classrooms, and collaborate with peers and parents to move the school to high levels of achievement. Candidates must be full-time teachers with at least three years of experience.  

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