Rock Star Teacher of the Year Named Thursday; Moraga Finalist

UPDATED: Friday, Sept. 21 -- Dr. Rona Zollinger of the Martinez Unified School District was named Teacher of the Year at a dinner in honor of the county's best teachers Thursday in Concord. Los Perales Elementary teacher Terryl Miller was one of two finalists in line for Top Teacher honors. Our congratulations to her and to all those who stand up to teach the county's children day after day.

The 2012-2013 Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year will be named Thursday and Los Perales Elementary School teacher Terryl Miller is one of three finalists in line for the honor.

Miller, a kindergarten teacher at Los Perales, emerged from a fast field of 21 teachers -- four of whom hailed from Lamorinda schools -- to become a finalist.

They are:

• Mona Keeler, San Ramon Valley USD, (Iron Horse Middle)
• Terryl Miller, Moraga, (Los Perales Elementary)
• Dr. Rona Zollinger, Martinez USD, (Vicente Martinez High)

The county's top teacher will be named at the TOY Dinner Celebration, held  Sept. 20 at the Concord Hilton. Each finalist was named Teacher of the Year (TOY) by their respective Contra Costa County school district, passed a  rigorous application screening, panel classroom observation and interview, and a speech presentation.

One of the three will be named Top Teacher on Thursday and go on to represent Contra Costa County with the California State Teacher of the Year Program.