Danyelle Gonzalez, a teacher at Earl Elementary in Turlock, was announced as a finalist for the Modesto Rotary and the Stanislaus County Office of Education’s Teacher of the Year award.

Gonzalez is one of 85 nominees from 19 school districts in the county. A selection committee of area Rotarians and educators narrowed that list down to 12 finalists. The committee members then visited the classrooms of the 12 finalist.

This is the 13^th year that Modesto Rotary and SCOE have joined efforts to honor teachers in the county. The program honors local teachers and celebrates excellence in education, while affording teachers the opportunity to receive state and national recognition.

“Some once said, ‘Good teachers are to education what education is to all other professions — the indispensable element, the sunlight and oxygen, the foundation on which everything else is built,” said County Superintendent Tom Changnon. “It is truly an honor to partner with the Rotary to recognize these outstanding teachers — each who have helped shape the lives of young students in our county.”

Two of the four Teachers of the Year will be selected to represent the county in the State Teacher of the Year program and the state winner will go to the national level. The winners will be announced at a ceremony on Tuesday.

To contact Jonathan McCorkell, e-mail jmccorkell@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2015.