Employee Recognition

Each year, Alameda Unified runs a Teacher of the Year program to select an exemplary educator in our school district.

Nomination forms become available in the late fall.  Nominated teachers who meet the county and state criteria are invited to participate in the next phase of the process, which requires them to submit an application packet (including a resume, an introductory letter, and letters of support) to the district office.

The AUSD Teacher of the Year Selection Committee then meets to screen applications and determine which applicants will move onto the next phase: classroom observations. During that stage, the Selection Committee members may visit classrooms, interview finalists, and determine this year’s Teacher of the Year. Members of the selection committee include former AUSD Teachers of the Year, a Board of Education member, a principal, and representatives of both the Alameda Education Association (which represents teachers) and the PTA Council.

The winner is honored by the Board of Education in May and by the Alameda County Office of Educationin the fall. They also become eligible for the Alameda County Teacher of the Year Award, as well as potentially the State Teacher of the Year Award.

Jessica Kerber, an English teacher at Encinal Jr. & Sr. High School, was selected as the 2023 Teacher of the Year. She went on to be selected as an Alameda County Teacher of the Year, as well.

Ms. Kerber who has taught at Encinal since 2005, received her Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from UC Berkeley, and her teaching credential through Project Pipeline.

Colleagues who submitted recommendation letters cited Ms. Kerber’s high professional standards and ability to both engage and connect with students. They also cited her skill as a leader (she has served as chair of the EHS English Department as well as the professional development lead) and collaborator, as well as her creation and initiation of the “Mental Health Matters” English class at the site. In that course, students read novels that focus on mental health matters and also research topics such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, and gender norms.

More Information:

April 7, 2023: "Encinal's Jessica Kerber Named Alameda Unified's Teacher of the Year"

October 6, 2023: "Encinal's Jessica Kerber Named Alameda County Teacher of the Year"

The California Department of Education's (CDE)  Classified School Employees of the Year (CSEY) Program highlights contributions of classified school employees who support the education, safety, and health of the more than six million public school students in our state. 

CSEY Awardees are recognized at an event during Classified School Employee Week, the third full week of May each year, and are eligible for the National Recognizing Inspiring School Employee (RISE) Award.  

Classified employees can be nominated in the following categories: 

1. Clerical and Administrative Services
2. The work must be directly related to clerical or secretarial duties. For example: attendance clerk, secretary, and accountant.
3. Custodial and Maintenance Services
4. The work must be directly related to operation or maintenance services. For example: custodian and groundskeeper.
5. Food and Nutrition Services
6. The work must be directly related to food handling and/or preparation. For example: chef, cook, and cafeteria worker.
7. Health and Student Services
8. The work must be directly related to health and student services. For example: nurse assistant and counselor as classified. Classified Service position only.
9. Paraprofessional Services
10. The work must be directly related to instructional services to students. For example: classroom assistant, instructional aide, and library assistant.
11. Security Services
12. The work must be directly related to the security of students and/or property. For example: campus security monitor, and community outreach assistant.
13. Skilled Trades Services
14. The work must be directly related to skilled services. For example: carpenter, electrician, plumber, painter, and mechanic.
15. Technical Services
16. The work must be directly related to technical duties. For example: network engineer, technology support, and programmer.
17. Transportation Services
18. The work must be directly related to student transportation. For examples: bus driver and dispatcher.

 To be eligible for the CSEY Program, nominees must:

• Be a current classified school employee of a California public school (preschool through grade twelve), school districts, and county offices of education.
• Be a rank and file employee, not in a management or supervisory position.
• Have a minimum of five years of service in nomination occupational specialty, with no minimum full-time equivalent.

• Nomination Form (print)
• Nomination form (fillable)
• CDE CSEY web page

Please email completed nomination forms to  (hkhalil@alamedaunified.org) by 5 pm on March 22, 2024.