Teachers from four categories across Monterey County were recognized as Teachers of the Year by the Monterey County Office of Education earlier this month. In addition, nine classified employees were honored for their contributions to local schools.

The Teacher of the Year program honors elementary, middle school, high school and special education teachers that demonstrate going above and beyond for their students. The Classified School Employee of the Year program is similar, honoring non-teaching employees in a district. An event honoring all of the winners was held May 9 at the Embassy Suites in Seaside.

“The Teacher of the Year and Classified School Employee of the Year Program honors the extraordinary dedication, talent and impact of our educators and classified staff who go above and beyond to serve students every day,” said Monterey County Superintendent of Schools Deneen Guss in a news release.

“These outstanding individuals exemplify the heart of our schools, creating safe, inclusive and engaging environments where students can thrive academically, socially and emotionally,” said Guss. “Their commitment not only shapes the future of our communities but also reminds us of the vital role every educator and school employee plays in a child’s success.”

The teachers honored this year include:

Dania Zalat, Elementary School Teacher, International School of Monterey

Ben Holiday, Middle School Teacher, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District

Will Cobley, Special Education Teacher, Monterey County Office of Education

Blaise Chaney, High School Teacher, South Monterey County Unified School District

Chaney, an agriculture teacher from King City High School, was chosen as the overall Teacher of the Year winner and was selected to represent Monterey County as the nominee for consideration in the California Department of Education’s 2026 Teacher of the Year Program. The state recipient of Teacher of the Year for 2026 has not yet been announced.

The Teachers of the Year Program was created in 1972 as a way for the California Department of Education to recognize “outstanding teachers to provide an opportunity for fostering educator excellence,” according to its website.

Each year, the teacher chosen by the department serves as an ambassador for their field and is required to serve from January to December for their year of service. The ambassador is called to speak orally and through media on various challenges confronting the profession as well as explain programs and strategies they have developed, according to the state department’s website.

There is also a program for Classified School Employee of the Year, who are chosen from nine areas: Clerical and Administrative Services, Custodial and Maintenance Services, Food and Nutrition Services, Health and Student Services, Paraprofessional Services, Security Services, Skilled Trade Services, Technical Services and Transportation Services.

The Monterey County honorees in these categories were all nominated for consideration in the state education department’s Classified Employee of the Year Program. The winners are:

Karen Kushel, Clerical and Administrative Services, International School of Monterey

Angelo White, Custodial and Maintenance Services, International School of Monterey

Nancy Derr, Food and Nutrition Services, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District

Brenda Perez, Health and Student Services, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District

Fran Ryder, Paraprofessional Services, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District

Erik Lualemana, Security Services, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District

Roy Telles, Skilled Trades Services, Greenfield Union School District

Leticia Rivera, Technical Services, Soledad Unified School District

Diego Mandujano Macias, Transportation Services, Salinas Union High School District

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond announced the 2025 Classified School Employees of the Year late last month — the list didn’t include Monterey County’s nominations.

Each local winner was awarded with a cash prize made possible through donations and administered by the Monterey County Office of Education. The honorees received a $500 cash prize and Chaney, the overall winner among the teachers, was awarded $1,000.