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2026 Teacher of the Year at the Sock Hop
The Santa Cruz County School Superintendent’s Office turned back the clock on Friday, August 7th, as educators, families, community leaders, and supporters gathered at the 1920 Pierson Gymnasium for the Nineteenth Annual Santa Cruz County Teacher of the Year Awards. With a 1950s sock hop theme, the evening was filled with poodle skirts, leather jackets, diner-style food, root beer floats, apple pie, music, and plenty of dancing.
The celebration honored outstanding teachers from throughout Santa Cruz County and recognized their dedication, creativity, and lasting impact on their students and communities. The event was co-sponsored by the Santa Cruz County School Superintendent’s Office, South 32, the Santa Cruz Community Foundation, and the Nogales Rotary Club. Proceeds from the evening benefit the William I. Rothstein Memorial Scholarship, helping local students pursue their post-secondary educational goals. A special thank you to Nogales Unified School District for providing the venue.
Each teacher nominated for Teacher of the Year was recognized on stage and presented with a trophy and an appreciation clipboard with local gift cards, thanks to the generosity of local businesses and community members.
Congratulations to Mr. Ravi Dutt of Nogales High School, the 2026 Santa Cruz County Teacher of the Year. In recognition of his exceptional commitment to his students and his profession, Mr. Dutt received a trophy, barbecue grill, and an assortment of prizes generously donated by community supporters.
Mr. Kim Gonzales of Pierson High School was named runner-up and received a trophy, a 65-inch television, and additional community-donated prizes.
The evening also featured two outstanding 1950s dance performances by the Rio Rico Hawx Dance Team, who brought energy and enthusiasm to the celebration, drawing the crowd to their feet.
And no sock hop would be complete without a little dancing! To close out the evening, Superintendent Maya Donnelly took the stage and led guests through a hand jive lesson. What began as a lesson quickly became a full-room performance, bringing teachers, guests, and community supporters together for a memorable finale.
The Santa Cruz County School Superintendent’s Office extends its sincere appreciation to the sponsors, donors, school districts, community partners, educators, and volunteers who helped make this year’s celebration a success. Their continued support allows the community to recognize the remarkable teachers who serve our students every day while also helping provide scholarship opportunities for the next generation of Santa Cruz County students.
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2026 Early Voting-General Election-Check or Track Your Early Ballot, Painting Hope on a Wall: How Making Connections 4U Brings Art, Color, and Healing to Southern Arizona, 2026 Teacher of the Year at the Sock Hop, Rio Rico Insights-Welcomes Principals for the 2026–2027 School Year, Rio Rico Insights-SCV35 Recognizes Mariposa Community Health Center for Continued Partnership, NPD Monthly Roll-Community Commitment, Let’s Talk Health- What is metabolically dysfunctional?, Happy Labor Day!