Ygnacio High's Joseph Alavarico Named A California Teacher Of The Year

CONCORD, CA — Joseph Alvarico, who teaches robotics at Ygnacio Valley High School in Concord, was recently named a 2024 California Teacher of the Year by California Superintendent of Schools Tony Thurmond.

As a California Teacher of the Year, Alvarico is an ambassador for the profession and serves as a representative of the state for the calendar year. Superintendent Thurmond said he was pleased to recognize the outstanding teachers, who have had a tremendous impact in their schools and on their students and communities.

"They make profound differences in their students’ lives and provide both inspiration and the practical tools that students need to succeed," Thurmond said of this year's California Teachers of the Year."They’re all prime examples of the exceptional work going on in California schools."

Alvarico was the only Northern California teacher to receive the distinguished honor this year.

"I am proud that one of our Contra Costa County teachers of the year has been named one of the state’s top educators," Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Lynn Mackey said. "Joseph is a great example of the high-quality teaching and learning going on in Contra Costa County schools every day and it's a great honor for him to be selected as a California Teacher of the Year. Congratulations to him, his colleagues and MDUSD for the support they have given him throughout this process and his career."

Alvarico was named a Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year in September and one of Mt. Diablo Unified School District’s Teachers of the Year this past spring.

"I am both thrilled and humbled at the same time to have been selected as one of the 2024 California Teachers of the Year," said Alvarico, who was born in the Philippines to a family of educators. "This distinction is a reflection of the long hours and unwavering commitment that I have put into my teaching career."

Alvarico earned bachelor's degrees in biology and secondary education. Ever since immigrating to the United States, he has been instructing middle school and high school students in the subject of robotics at Mt. Diablo Unified School District.

With on-the-job experience in the tech industry, Alvarico combines real-world experiences into his lessons while also focusing on community-building. Alvarico strives to show every student their potential and the possibilities available when they leave high school, regardless of their economic status.

"My gratitude extends to multiple people in my life who have guided me along my professional path and supported my classroom every step of the way," Alvarico said. "Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat! Without you, I wouldn't be able to give my students the greatest service that I possibly could. I am excited to continue making a positive impact on the lives of my students, our local community, and the educational world at large."

Alvarico was nominated as a California Teacher of the Year applicant by the Contra Costa County Office of Education.

Selection committees with the California Department of Education reviewed applications; evaluated teachers’ rapport with students and their classroom environments, presentation skills, and teaching techniques; and interviewed the teachers.

Thurmond then selected five California Teachers of the Year and the National Teacher of the Year nominee.

Here are the five California teachers of the year for 2024, as announced Oct. 16 by the California Department of Education:

— Casey Cuny, a high school honors English and Senior Myth and Folklore teacher at William S. Hart High School and Valencia High School in the William S. Hart Unified School District in Los Angeles County. Cuny was nominated by Thurmond as California’s representative for the National Teacher of the Year competition, the winner of which will be announced in the spring.

— Joseph Alvarico, a high school Engineering Essentials, Introduction to Engineering Design, and honors computer teacher at Ygnacio Valley High School in the Mount Diablo Unified School District in Contra Costa County.

— Andrew Lewis, a high school music teacher at Ramon C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts in the Los Angeles Unified School District.

— Hannah Rodriguez, a prekindergarten special education teacher at Beardslee Dual Language Immersion Academy in the Duarte Unified School District in Los Angeles County.

— Gregory Wolf, a high school dual-enrollment U.S. History, dual-enrollment political science, and Advanced Placement psychology teacher at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School in the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District in Santa Barbara County.

"Congratulations to these five remarkable educators, who all display deep commitment and innovation in their work—all while supporting their students through a difficult time," Thurmond said.

The California Teachers of the Year Program began in 1972 to honor outstanding teachers and encourage and inspire new teachers to enter the profession. It is supported by the California Teachers of the Year Foundation and presented by the California Department of Education.