LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – On April 2, the Konocti Unified School District announced its teachers of the year for each school site.

“These teachers embodied the dedication, creativity, and good humor that makes learning possible even in the most challenging of times – and this year has certainly been challenging,” said district Superintendent Becky Salato.

Teachers are selected for this honor by their peers.

Konocti Unified School Districtwide Teacher of the Year: Andrea Pullman

Burns Valley Elementary School chose instructional coach Andrea Pullman as their teacher of the year.

In her role, Pullman supports all teachers and students at Burns Valley Elementary. She is known for her willingness to speak up for what is right and as someone who does not shy away from a challenge.

Colleagues called her “a phenomenal coach who [they] were proud to have as part of the BVS team and family.”

Pullman was not only honored by her school; she also received the Konocti Unified School District Teacher of the Year Award.

Alternative Education: Kim VanHorn

The Alternative Education teacher of the year is Kim VanHorn who teaches English language arts and science at Blue Heron School.

VanHorn is a strong student advocate and a nurturing educator who collaborates with her colleagues and works hard to implement top-quality teaching strategies.

Although this is only her second year as a teacher, VanHorn’s ability to build relationships with students and families has helped students succeed academically and contributed to their social and emotional wellbeing.

East Lake Elementary: Kaytlin Zolensky

At East Lake School, first-grade teacher Kaytlin Zolensky was named teacher of the year by colleagues who described her as an energetic and motivational classroom teacher determined to help every single one of her students learn to read.

Zolensky was the first teacher to bring students back on campus in small groups during the pandemic when allowed to do so by Public Health.

Zolensky’s colleagues also lauded her as a leader who “is always willing to train others on technology, collaborate, or lend an ear to brainstorm solutions.”

Konocti Education Center: Babette Wellock

The KEC teacher of the year is sixth-grade teacher Babette Wellock.

A 15-year veteran of Konocti Unified, Wellock’s colleagues said she leads her students by example as a life-long learner.

“She is always seeking to improve her practice and is not afraid to try new things,” they said.

She also encourages and uplifts colleagues with compliments and fun stories. As in years past, this year Wellock’s dedication to her students stood out in a competitive field.

Lower Lake Elementary: Suzy Tucker

Lower Lake Elementary announced teacher Suzy Tucker as teacher of the year.

Principal Tara Bianchi said Tucker went out of her comfort zone this year to provide the best education possible for her students.

Tucker developed meaningful relationships with her students and their families and collaborated well with her team and other teachers on campus, which was no simple task through video conferencing, mask-wearing, and social distancing.

Lower Lake High School: Tracy Lahr

Associated Student Body Director and long-time Konocti Unified veteran Tracy Lahr was honored by her Lower Lake High School peers as teacher of the year.

During a difficult year, they said she made the school a better place to be.

“No matter the obstacles, she has continued to have a positive attitude about the school and her students. She works effectively with fellow staff members to get them engaged in school spirit, and one of her biggest strengths is her love of students,” said LLHS Principal Victor Uribe.

Uribe noted that Lahr is particularly gifted in establishing and maintaining open lines of communication with all her students, and that her rapport with her Associated Student Body students was instrumental in developing a safe and secure learning environment focused on school spirit this year.

Pomo Elementary: Janelle Schneider

Second-grade teacher Janelle Schneider is Pomo Elementary’s teacher of the year.

Schneider embraced distance learning and helped her colleagues do the same.

Throughout the school year, she created YouTube video clips and Boom Card decks for her students, and then shared them with other teachers who said both they and Schneider’s students “love the online resources she creates and shares.”

The second-grade team credited Schneider’s Boom Cards for their students' mastery of addition with regrouping.

While creating highly effective resources for students and colleagues, Schneider has also been busy working on her master's degree in curriculum and instruction.