Local educators are on the finalists list for the 2026 Stanislaus County Teacher of the Year honors.

The 12 finalists will be honored by the Modesto Rotary Club and the Stanislaus County Office of Education at a luncheon on May 5. Four of the finalists will be selected as Teachers of the Year and receive a $1,000 cash award.

Among the finalists are Crowell Elementary School teacher Tami Compton, Emilie J. Ross Middle School (Hughson) teacher Ashlee Sloan, Hughson High teacher Keith Bullock and Pitman High teacher Joy Esquibel.

This is the 27th year that Modesto Rotary and SCOE have joined efforts to honor teachers in Stanislaus County. The program not only honors local teachers and celebrates excellence in education, but it also provides an opportunity for teachers to receive state and national recognition. Two of the four Teachers of the Year will be selected, through an interview process, to represent Stanislaus County in the State Teacher of the Year Program. One state winner then proceeds to the national level.

“We are honored to join Modesto Rotary in celebrating the exceptional work of educators across Stanislaus County,” said County Superintendent of Schools Scott Kuykendall. “These educators shape futures by motivating and supporting students to achieve their best. Their passion and dedication set a high standard for education in our region.”

Also at the May luncheon, the Jane Johnston Civility Award will be presented in honor of former SCOE Assistant Superintendent Jane Johnston, who helped launch the county-wide Choose Civility Initiative in 2010 and passed away unexpectedly in April 2012. Johnston was a member of the Modesto Rotary, co-chaired the Teacher of the Year Program, and was active with the Education Foundation of Stanislaus County. The Education Foundation will honor her memory by presenting a $1,000 check and a Jane Johnston Civility Award to one of the 12 finalists who best exemplifies the principles of civility.

More information on local finalists:

— Tami Compton is an Education Specialist at Crowell Elementary School. She has been teaching for 16 years.

Compton said her kindergarten teacher inspired her career path into education.

“She created a space where every student felt valued and connected. As I explored teaching, I wanted to build that same sense of belonging for my students.”

Compton’s favorite part about being a teacher is “having the little moments where we try a strategy and find it matches a student's learning style- where it all 'clicks' for them. It is incredibly rewarding to watch their confidence and independence grow.”

— Ashlee Sloan teaches art classes at Emilie J. Ross Middle School in Hughson. She has been teaching for eight years.

She was inspired to become a teacher by the “profound impact of educators who taught me when I was a young learner.”

“Growing up, I was extremely lucky to be in classrooms with caring and committed teachers who weren’t there to just teach curriculum, but to support each student as a whole person. I had so many teachers that noticed when I struggled, celebrated small wins and continued to push me to see the potential that I didn’t know I possessed. At a young age, I realized that teachers had the power to change the trajectory of a child’s day — or even their life. I always wanted to be that person for someone else. I still remember my own middle school art experience; the art room felt like a sanctuary where there were no wrong answers — just experiments waiting to happen. In addition to having amazing educators on my path, I have always been fascinated with the ‘aha!’ moment. The moment when a student realizes they can create or accomplish something they didn’t think was possible. I chose to be an art teacher because I wanted to be the person that was able to hand the keys to students to access their creativity. After eight years in the classroom, I’ve learned that I'm not just teaching them how to draw, I’m teaching them how to problem-solve, see things from different perspectives, and be resilient.”

Sloan said she would tell future teachers to “remember why you wanted to teach.”

“This career is very rewarding and challenging all in the same breath. Students will always remember the connections you made with them over the content that you taught them. Prioritize building a connection with your most challenging students and continue to build on it, it will make your life easier. Continue to stay relevant, especially if you want to teach the upper grades. There is nothing students love more than a teacher that is into or has knowledge of some of the things that are important to them and just be yourself! As far as work load goes for new teachers — the work will always be there, so prioritize setting boundaries for yourself and your time.”

— Joy Esquibel, who has been a teacher for over two decades, currently teaches College and Career Seminar at Pitman High School, as well as Ethnic Studies.

Esquibel said there were so many influences impacting her career path, that “it would have been nearly impossible to not become a teacher.

“As a rebellious teen, I tried following a path toward science research; however, both of my parents were educators. Prior to becoming an administrator, during my most formative years, my mother was a teacher. Her hard work and dedication left an immense impression, as I knew that teaching was not merely a career, but a calling.

“As a teenager, I enjoyed missing school more than I enjoyed attending. The only reasons for attending were the relationships I had with teachers and coaches. Their care mattered and impacted me — Mrs. Vorhees, Mr. Huth, Mr. Julien, Mrs. Schmidt, Mrs. Prussak, Mr. Jack, Mr. Holiday, Coach Nelson and Coach McIlroy to name a few. These relationships were not just important to my academic success, but to the philosophy upon which my entire teaching career has been built — love first.”

She said the best part about being a teacher is the “community connections.”

“The relationships I get to build through teaching are among the greatest treasure of my life, and the opportunity to help students grow academically and personally is a gift of immeasurable value.”

Her advice for those thinking about going into teaching: “Just do it!”

“It is a rewarding, challenging, exciting, and meaningful career. There is no other job quite like it. There will be tough times, especially in the beginning, but you will have your colleagues guide and support you. Choose a career with purpose and pursue it with intention. If you choose teaching, you will be fulfilled.”

— Keith Bullock teaches Health and Geography at Hughson High School. He’s been a teacher for 29 years.

He was inspired to become a teacher “to make a difference in the world.”

“My upbringing instilled in me a bedrock work ethic—the belief that with discipline and focus, any goal is within reach. However, my evolution as an educator has taught me the value of patience. Early in my career, I focused on the ‘bottom line’ or the final grade. Today, I find beauty in the linear nature of learning.”

His favorite part about being a teacher is seeing “the light turn on.”

“When a student is being successful in school and especially when I bump into a former student and hear the success stories.”