Our Mission

The California Teachers of the Year Foundation strives to elevate the teaching profession by:

The California Teachers of the Year Foundation works in concert with the California Department of Education (CDE) each year to select the five most outstanding teachers in the state. Veteran California Teachers of the Year (CATOYs), school administrators, CDE employees and officers of the California PTA are part of the selection process to identify and honor the exemplary teachers. Once selected, the five CATOYs become spokespersons for education and speak at conventions, conferences and other meetings related to education. They serve on professional committees both locally and in Sacramento. Since the program began, four California Teachers of the Year have gone on to become the National Teacher of the Year.