Medeiros Elementary School fourth grade teacher Marlene Bergstrom has been announced as one of three finalists for the Stanislaus County Office of Education and Modesto Rotary Teacher of the Year Award, grade 4-6 division.

Bergstrom was the only teacher selected as a finalist from the Turlock Unified School District. The award honors the best teachers in each of four divisions: K-3, 4-6, middle school and high school.

Bergstrom has been a teacher for 24 years. She has taught at Medeiros since it opened in 2006.

Medeiros Principal Jennifer Jacoub praised Bergstrom’s ability to change young lives.

“She is very involved in individualized student goals, learning and outcomes” said Jacoub. “She supports her students, colleagues and parents to ensure that each feels important and successful. Throughout the year, her students are taught how to develop strong character so that they gain a deeper understanding of their social and self-development. At the end of the school year, students leave her classroom with renewed confidence in their academic abilities and a sense of self-efficacy in their social and self-development.”

Bergstrom says that even after 24 years spent teaching, each year is a new opportunity.

“I am in my twenty-fourth year of teaching – a privilege I don't take for granted. I look forward to each year with enthusiasm, knowing I will have 32 brand new minds to encourage and set on fire to reach their highest potential."

On May 6 SCOE will honor all nominees and announce the winners in each grade level. The Teachers of the Year will each receive $1,000 in cash and a $500 Nasco gift card.

A total of 87 nominees representing 19 school districts were nominated in this year’s Teacher of the Year competition. A selection committee, composed of local Rotarians and educators, narrowed down the nominations through a paper screening and then visited the classroom of each semi-finalist before narrowing the field to 12 finalists.

Two of the four winning teachers will be selected through an interview process to represent Stanislaus County in the State Teacher of the Year Program. One state winner then proceeds to the national level.