KING CITY — Bridgette Berti, an elementary school teacher from King City Arts Magnet School, has been honored as the overall Monterey County Teacher of the Year and will represent the county in the state competition later this year.
Monterey County Office of Education (MCOE) celebrated this year’s Teacher of the Year and Classified School Employee of the Year award recipients at a special event in May. This annual program highlights educators who excel in supporting the education of public school students from preschool through 12th grade.
“The Teacher of the Year and Classified School Employee of the Year Program recognizes school employees who are dedicated and passionate about improving students’ learning,” said Monterey County Superintendent of Schools Deneen Guss. “The program recognizes those that go above and beyond the call of duty to positively influence the lives of our children and their future.”
In addition to Berti, winners in other Teacher of the Year categories include:
- Christopher Andrew, middle school teacher, King City Union School District;
- Minako Kamimura, high school teacher, Salinas Union High School District; and
- Greg Allen, special education teacher, North Monterey County Unified School District.
As the overall winner, Berti will represent Monterey County in the California Department of Education’s 2025 California Teachers of the Year Program.
According to MCOE, Berti is a dedicated and data-oriented educator who uses both formative and summative assessments to tailor her instruction to meet her students’ needs. She founded the current Parent Teacher Organization at King City Arts Magnet School, serves as the Student Council advisor and oversees the Student Study Team.
“Ms. Berti believes in teaching to the highest rigor and makes a conscious effort to motivate and inspire her students to work hard and become stronger learners,” stated MCOE in a news release. “She feels most fulfilled as a classroom teacher and is unquestionably where she wants to be each and every day with her students.”
Classified school employees were also honored in nine categories:
- Erica Heredia, Clerical and Administrative Services, Soledad Unified School District;
- Jose Espinoza, Custodial and Maintenance Services, Santa Rita Union School District;
- Alma Cardenas, Food and Nutrition Services, Greenfield Union School District;
- Carlos Diaz, Health and Student Services, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District;
- Daniel Ceja, Paraprofessional Services, Monterey County Office of Education;
- Angela Bolanos, Security Services, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District;
- Alfredo Valdez, Skilled Trades Services, Soledad Unified School District;
- Michael Silva, Technical Services, Greenfield Union School District; and
- Maria Luna, Transportation Services, Monterey County Office of Education.
Each classified school employee winner was nominated for consideration in the California Department of Education’s 2024 Classified Employees of the Year Program.
Monterey County Office of Education recognized all the award winners with a $500 cash prize, made possible through a donation by Chevron. As the overall winner, Berti received an additional $500, bringing her total cash prize to $1,000.
