Last month, Ripon Unified School District Superintendent Ziggy Robeson proudly announced Ann Pendleton as a San Joaquin County Teacher of the Year finalist.

Pendleton teaches Science at Ripon High.

She joins Debbi Crawford (Wagner-Holt Elementary School / Lodi Unified), Rebecca Harms (Come Back Kids-Alpine / San Joaquin County Office of Education), Richard Newton (North Elementary / Tracy Unified), and Tulia Cobian (Collegeville Elementary / Escalon Unified) as this year’s finalists.

All teacher of the Year finalists along with the winners of the Classified Employee of the Year, and School Counselor of the Year awards will be honored at the Thursday, June 8 celebration dinner – sponsored by Self-Help Federal Credit Union – at SJCOE’s Wentworth Education Center, Burwood Auditorium, 2707 Transworld Dr., beginning at 6 p.m.

Erica Contreras-Suarez of Live Oak and Needham elementary schools / Lodi Unified was named SJC School Counselor of the Year, a distinction that’s new to the county.

Each are being recognized for their outstanding commitment and dedication to education and SJC students.

The 2022-23 Teacher of the Year will be announced at the special event.

In addition, the dinner will recognize Lodi Unified Superintendent Cathy Nichols-Washer, who is retiring at the end of this school year. She’s the former superintendent at Manteca Unified.