Teacher of the Year, Scotts Valley High teacher and IB Coordinator, John Postovit confers with Jacob Berman as Berman works on a physics project as part of his International Baccalaureate Diploma course at Scotts Valley High School. Postovit began his teaching career in 1992 following work in the night vision goggle industry. Over the years, he has taught physics and every level of high school math, from pre-algebra to calculus and differential equations and has been a faculty member at Scotts Valley High School teaching two levels of physics and IB Math HL. His contributions have been recognized with several honors, including the 2014 IB Educator of the Year for California and Nevada and 2016 Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year.

Classified Employee of the Year Jessica Serna Castaneda checks in with some of her students at Harbor High School. Castaneda is a first-generation college graduate and former English learner who brings both lived experience and professional dedication to her work in supporting all students. Over the past six years, she has served in various roles within Santa Cruz City Schools, contributing to student success and community connection.

Education Specialist Minc Robinson Brooker keeps open communication a priority with her students at Pajaro Valley High School. Robinson Brooker was recognized as one of the Santa Cruz County Office of Education’s Teachers of the Year in a ceremony in May for the COE’s Educators of the Year. In a press release, the COE said that in her classroom, Robinson Brooker’s “Brilliant Scholars” thrive through “creative, identity-affirming projects that encourage self-advocacy and discovery.” An education specialist with more than 30 years of experience and impact in education, Robinson Brooker has served students and colleagues across six school districts in a wide range of roles, from paraeducator and crossing guard to union site rep and negotiator. She’s worked with organizations including NASA and Professional Tutors of America, and has been honored by NASA, the Solano County Black Chamber of Commerce and Sonoma State University for her contributions to education. At Pajaro Valley High in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District, Robinson Brooker serves as the school’s first Black Student Union advisor and helped lead its second annual Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, joining students, colleagues, families and community members in celebration. Other honorees this year include fellow Teacher of the Year John Postovit, Harbor High School’s Jessica Serna Castaneda as Classified Employee of the Year, Watsonville High’s Sylvia Alba as Counselor of the Year, Santa Cruz City Schools Food and Nutrition Director Amy Hedrick-Farr as Administrator of the Year and named X Academy as the Community Partner of the Year. Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Schools Faris Sabbah said, “Through their exceptional talent and steadfast commitment to equity, integrity and service, they (the honorees) empower students and set a standard of excellence that inspires our entire school community.”

Administrator of the Year Amy Hedrick-Farr spends a moment in the kitchen at DeLaveaga. Hedrick Farr is the Food and Nutrition director for Santa Cruz City Schools, bringing 29 years of experience in school food service. She has led three districts from financially strained nutrition programs to balanced, thriving operations. In 2006, she founded the Central Coast Purchasers Cooperative, which now serves 22 school districts across three counties and supports over 100,000 students daily by increasing access to local, organic and whole foods.

Counselor of the Year Sylvia Alba works with students Valeria Campos and Naidelyn Galindo at the Watsonville High School College and Career Center. Alba began her career in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District in 1985, shortly after graduating from college and returning to her hometown of Watsonville. At Watsonville High, Alba has coordinated the Migrant Outside Work Experience Program for many years, hiring over a hundred students yearly to work after school and she has been the Migrant Student Association Advisor for more than three decades.