​SAN JOSE, CA – More than 200 people celebrated the county’s top teachers at the 56th Annual Teacher Recognition Celebration on October 19 at the Santa Clara County Office of Education. Accompanied by their loved ones and colleagues, 30 teachers representing their school districts were honored for their achievements at the annual event. 

“It was humbling to be in a room with educators who have dedicated so many years of their lives to serving students,” said Dr. David M. Toston, Sr. County Superintendent. “Whether they are continuing their journey in education or closing an extraordinary chapter of service, their impact extends far beyond the classroom. The true measure of their careers can be seen in the generations of students they have encouraged, challenged, and inspired.” 

Taking the stage with Dr. Toston as co-host was Chrizia Dela Rosa, a 2026 California Teacher of the Year from Santa Clara County. She was the 2025 Teacher of the Year for the East Side Union High School District. 

“Just one year ago, I was sitting where they were,” said Dela Rosa. “It was an honor to stand by them and celebrate the incredible work each of them does for students every day.” 

Additionally, the evening’s ceremony paid tribute to the founders of the state’s largest and longest-standing celebration of educators, Pauline and Frank Lowe.

​School District	​Teacher Honoree
​Alum Rock Union School District​	​Jonathan Almerido
​Berryessa Union School District	​Kristine Taniguchi
​Cambrian School District	​Jenna Greco
​Campbell Union High School District	​Eduardo Quintero
​Campbell Union School District​	​Michelle Biggs
​Cupertino Union School District	​Lisa Orlando
​East Side Union High School District	​Christine Garcia
​Evergreen Elementary School District	​Christopher Rivas
​Franklin-McKinley School District	​Jesse Soza
​Fremont Union High School District	​Carrie Nakamura
​Gilroy Unified School District	​Jane Ellis
​Loma Prieta Joint Union School District	​Kendra Zanotto
​Los Altos School District	​Candice Marquis
​Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District	​Jason Friend
​Los Gatos Union School District​	​Julie Ludeman
​Metropolitan Education District	​Nathan Chukes
​Milpitas Unified School District	​Jennifer Gagliardi
​Moreland School District	​Shanowa Ross
​Morgan Hill Unified School District	​Denise Listol
​Mount Pleasant Elementary School District	​Claudia Jones
​Mountain View Los Altos High School District	​Jason Greco
​Mountain View Whisman School District	​Meghan Chuang
​Oak Grove School District	​Marcy Nagatani
​San Jose Unified School District	​Kenneth Pringle
​Santa Clara County Board of Education - Authorized Charter	​Myong Chang
​Santa Clara County Office of Education	​Adriana Oviedo
​Santa Clara Unified School District	​Patricia Jenkins
​Saratoga Union School District	​Vicki Andary
​Sunnyvale School District	​Héctor González Rodas
​Union School District	​Mary Frugoli
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The Santa Clara County Teacher Recognition Celebration, hosted annually by the SCCOE, is one of California's oldest and largest events. Please visit the TRC webpage​ (www.sccoe.org/trc​) for more information about the Teacher Recognition Celebration, including its history.