Manteca Unified has select three individuals as Educators of the Year.

 These individuals were nominated by their supervisors and colleagues and selected by a committee of executive leadership that carefully reviewed each nomination.  

*Sandra Brasil, Teacher – Joshua Cowell Elementary School, Category: Elementary Educator of the Year

*Julieta Salcedo, Teacher – East Union High School, Category: Secondary Educator of the Year

*Jodi Beaty, Teacher on Special Assignment – Manteca Unified School District, Category: Support Services Educator of the Year Educators of the Year

 Brasil has been supporting student needs with Manteca Unified for over 11 years. 

She skillfully implements research-based instructional strategies to ensure she meets the needs of all students. She builds strong relationships with her students by learning about their backgrounds, language needs and strengths, allowing her to connect instruction to meaningful, real-life contexts.

With her help, students learn how to work in group lessons, manage their feelings, and keep trying — even when tasks feel hard.

Brasil does not simply teach her students to "get through the day," she consistently engages them in rich learning experiences.

Passionate about student learning, Brasil regularly reflects on her teaching practice to refine instruction and improve student outcomes.

 She collaborates closely with parents, general education teachers, paraprofessionals, related service providers, and administrators to ensure each student receives the best possible learning experience. Her thoughtful, responsive approach ensures every student’s complex needs are met so they are challenged and empowered to reach their potential. 

Brasil currently teaches at Joshua Cowell as a Kindergarten and First Grade Special Education teacher.

For nearly three decades, Salcedo has been supporting generations of high school students in Manteca Unified in achieving grade-level standards as a math teacher.

She designs engaging, student-centered math lessons with clearly defined targets, individualized support, and rigor.

Salcedo demonstrates mastery of multi-tiered interventions, using strategic grouping, thoughtful questioning, and ongoing formative feedback to support student learning. She exemplifies a lifelong learner who is constantly curious and reflective, and she passes those same qualities on to her students.

A student shared, “My previous teacher taught me how to get the right answer; Ms. Salcedo taught me how to think.”

Her instruction always empowers students to engage with concepts deeply and think critically, regardless of course level.

In Salcedo’s classroom, she transports her students to the world of math. Students are standing, moving, collaborating, and learning together — no student is ever isolated or left out.

Beyond the bell, she provides tutoring every morning and most afternoons, and partners closely with families to support student success.

Julieta currently works at East Union High School. 

Beaty has been supporting students and teachers in Manteca Unified for 13 years. 

She currently leads as a Teacher on Special Assignment at the District level, with a focus on science. 

Beaty is highly skilled at training adult learners.

Her ability to relate to others and build trust empowers new teachers while inspiring veteran educators. She provides individualized coaching for teachers, modeling effective classroom practices and instructional concepts to help students achieve.

Beaty has created a robust system of common formative assessments for science teachers and has supported implementation to ensure teachers utilize student data to inform instruction. She approaches every challenge with confidence, leads by example, and models high expectations that all students can learn.

With each task she takes on, she is intentional with the “why” and “how” it will support student learning. Her work is grounded in evidence-based practices with incredible people skills and a steadfast moral compass and commitment to achievement aligned to District goals.

One school staff noted, “Her leadership has not only improved classroom instruction but also strengthened collaboration among our staff.”

Another school staff said, “There is consistent praise for the efforts and value that Ms. Beaty brings to the instructional model for the district. It is not an accident that she is regarded so highly.”