SAN JOSE, CA – Union School District Teacher of the Year, Kimberly Dinsdale, left a career in marketing for the teaching profession. She currently teaches fourth- and fifth-grade students at Guadalupe Elementary.
"No other single job allows you to make such an impact in someone's life," stated Dinsdale.
Dinsdale is among the teachers highlighted in 'Why I Teach' an annual series created by the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) featuring district teachers of the year. She is joined by Debra Chappell, a fifth-grade teacher from Barrett Elementary and teacher of the year in Morgan Hill Unified School District. Chappell is a former nurse, who substituted in classrooms for "fun." Her love of teaching evolved from a hobby to career, and having the opportunity to work with kids led her to teach. Yen Saldaña, eighth-grade history and leadership teacher at August Boeger Middle School in the Mount Pleasant School District, where she is currently Teacher of the Year. Saldaña came to the U.S. as a Vietnamese refugee, her experiences drove her to create safe, welcoming spaces for all her students.
All three educators are featured in the first installment of the fourth series of 'Why I Teach' public service announcement (PSA) video testimonials highlighting the teaching profession in Santa Clara County. All teachers featured were honored during the 2018 Teacher Recognition Celebration last fall in Campbell.
The PSA series, which will be released every Monday for the next ten weeks, is part of an on-going initiative to increase qualified teaching candidates. In addition to the video testimonials, the SCCOE will host Step into Teaching, a one-day event to help prospective teachers learn what is required to become a teacher and how to navigate the credentialing process. This event is designed for individuals with or completing their Bachelor's degree, business professionals interested in teaching, and classified school employees looking to transition into certificated positions.
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About the Santa Clara County Office of Education
Working collaboratively with school and community partners, the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) is a regional service agency that provides instructional, business, and technology services to the 31 school districts of Santa Clara County. The County Office of Education directly serves students through special education programs, alternative schools, Head Start and State Preschool programs, migrant education, and Opportunity Youth Academy. The SCCOE also provides academic and fiscal oversight and monitoring to districts in addition to the 22 Santa Clara County Board of Education authorized charter schools.