The Napa County Office of Education is honoring Jennifer Castelazo, a chemistry teacher at Vintage High School, as the Teacher of the Year.
Three other finalists — Napa High’s Karin Hatton and Monica Ready, and Shearer Charter School’s Pamela Thornell — were also recognized by the board at a ceremony at Vintage on Tuesday night.
Castelazo has taught at Vintage since 1998 after teaching for four years at Redwood Middle School.
“I like what I’m teaching and use my enthusiasm to try to create a love for science in my students. There are plenty of high fives and shouts of encouragement in my classroom,” Castelazo said.
“I have a tough love mentality, but it all pays off when students finally get to the ‘light bulb’ moment.”
In addition to teaching, Castelazo has coached soccer and tennis, mentored other teachers and served as an adviser to numerous student organizations.
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The goal of the Teacher of the Year program, which was started by the California Department of Education in 1972, is to honor exemplary teachers throughout California, and to recognize the positive accomplishments of the state’s teachers and students.