Petaluma teacher named county’s educator of the year

A Casa Grande High School teacher has been named Sonoma County Teacher of the Year.

Tom Griffin, an educator for 26 years, will be the county’s nominee in the 2017-18 statewide teacher of the year competition, the Sonoma County Office of Education announced Tuesday. He’ll also receive $3,000 from Community First Credit Union and season tickets to the Santa Rosa Symphony.

Griffin teaches Advanced Placement macroeconomics and English language development at the Petaluma high school. He’s also an English-language resource teacher.

He was described in his nomination as a “champion of educational equity” and “tireless advocate for all students’ equal access to opportunity and growth,” according to SCOE. Officials also credited him for helping the school become a “model for serving English learner students in an inclusive and integrated way.”

“The application described an exemplary educator who is making a significant difference in the lives of English Learners in particular and a classroom where students excel,” Sonoma County schools Superintendent Steve Herrington said in a letter.

Praised for his “astonishing” work ethic, Sonoma Valley High photography teacher Andrew Mitchell was named the runner-up. He’ll receive a $2,000 award from Community First Credit Union, SCOE said.