The California Department of Education asks each school district to identify and honor exemplary classified school employees and teachers throughout California.
CSEY awardees are eligible to be nominated for the National Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (RISE) Award, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education.
The CSEY and California Teachers of the Year (TOY) Annual Awards Ceremony is tomorrow, Friday, May 9, 2025 at the Embassy Suites Monterey Bay.
Heather Lynn Martin is
Big Sur Unified School District’s Teacher of the Year.
Ms. Martin began her teaching career in 1988. She began teaching for Pacific Valley School in August of 2023 and has taught Middle and High School. Her subjects include 7th and 8th English Language Arts, AP Literature, AP Language, 7th and 8th-grade history, Economics, Health, and STEAM.
Cesar has been nominated at the Monterey County level for his contributions to food and nutrition services. He is responsible for cooking breakfast and lunch daily, as well as kitchen maintenance.
Cesar is a major asset to Pacific Valley School. Not only is he in food services, he also drives students to school and back home everyday, assists students with academics, and monitors children outdoors.
Congratulations to both members of the Pacific Valley School team.
Reassuring to know the kids are in such capable hands.
This is wonderful! Thank you for sharing this and thank you these dedicated teachers! I remember meeting Dave a few times that also worked at Pacific Valley School. He retired and was wonderful, too. I also remember Jesse and Paulo giving their time for music. Kudos and much appreciation for our children’s teachers ❤️.
Congratulations to Heather & Cesar. Having worked with both of them I know how much they deserve this award. Both are extremely conscientious in their jobs and go way beyond what’s expected of them. Summer vacation is also well deserved!
Outstanding!!!! I attended Pacific Valley school in 1950’s and 60′. Back in those days it was a 1-room school room from 1st thru 8th grade, one teacher! We were in an old house where the teacher and her husband, and 4 kids lived in half the house. They eventually built the first of the classrooms on top of the hill. The school has certainly grown since then!!!!