Castro Valley Teacher Of The Year Selected

CASTRO VALLEY, CA — A Castro Valley teacher is being celebrated for excellence in the classroom as part of the Alameda County Office of Education’s 2025 Teachers of the Year program. Nickoletta “Nicky” Dalby, a 2nd and 3rd grade teacher at Jensen Ranch Elementary School, is one of 18 educators honored this year by school districts and regional occupational programs across the county.

Dalby was selected by the Castro Valley Unified School District to represent the district at the county level. Her recognition is part of the 36th annual Teachers of the Year program, which highlights outstanding educators from the more than 11,000 teachers serving Alameda County’s diverse student population.

“I am deeply inspired every day by our educators who work tirelessly in service of our students to create environments where they feel safe and supported,” said Alameda County Superintendent of Schools Alysse Castro. “I am very excited to recognize this year’s District Teachers of the Year and uplift their hard work and dedication at our annual ceremony in September.”

All district honorees—including Dalby—are now eligible to apply for the countywide title of Alameda County Teacher of the Year. Two county honorees will then be nominated for the California Teacher of the Year competition.

The 2025 awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, September 25 at the Hayward Performing Arts Center, with a public reception beginning at 5:30 p.m., followed by the awards at 6:30 p.m. Community members are encouraged to check the Alameda County Office of Education website in the coming months for more details and ticket availability.

Dalby’s recognition brings pride to the Castro Valley community, highlighting the district’s continued commitment to high-quality education and dedicated teaching professionals.