The Teacher Of The Year (TOTY) award, given by the Northern California Geological Society (NCGS) Foundation, is granted to a local K-12 teacher who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in the field of geoscience education.
The winner will receive a cash award of $1000 and the entry will be entered in the American Association of Petroleum Geologists national and Pacific Section contests for significant additional awards.
The 2021 contest will open in fall of 2020 and close January 15, 2021. An application form and additional information is available by clicking the button to the right.
(Coming soon)
2019-2020 awardee
The 2019-2020 Geoscience Teacher of the Year Award of $1000 went to Toshimi Fujikawa (BA, UC Davis) of Arroyo High School, San Lorenzo, CA.
Ms. Fujikawa follows NGSS-designed lessons that incorporate class discussions, activities and group work to ensure the material is accessible to all students. She follows a systems approach that combines geologic, chemical, physical and biological principles. Her Geology course is a UC-approved high school course that fulfills the A-G Subject Requirement of D Laboratory Science. Her materials address the California Standards well, focusing on critical concepts that enable her students to think geologically while studying Earth systems. She continually seeks to improve her teaching methods with materials that increase student interest.
2018-2019 Awardee
The 2018-2019 Geoscience Teacher of the Year Award of $1000 went to Mikko Michael Bojarskyis (MS) of Credo High School in Rohnert Park, CA.
Mr. Bojarskyis’s courses combine Earth sciences with planetary science and astronomy. They include units on plate tectonics, geophysics, mineralogy, structural geology and stratigraphic geology through lectures, labs and field trips.
2014-2015 Awardee
The 2014-2015 Teacher of the Year award of $750 went to Molly Shaw Deich of New Brighton Middle School in Capitola, CA
2012-2013 Awardee
The 2012-2013 Teacher of the Year award of $750 went to Chung Sinn Khong of Yerba Buena High School in San Jose, CA.
2010-2011 Awardee
The 2010-2011 Teacher of the Year award of $750 went to Heather Marshall of Ann Sobrato High School in Morgan Hill, CA.
Ms. Marshall graduated from CSU Hayward with a B.S. in Geology and has an MS in Science Education from the University of Texas. She worked with the Energy Resources Team at the U.S. Geological Survey for two years before becoming a high school science teacher in 2001. She taught for 5 years in Texas, 3 years at Roseville High School, JUHSD, CA, and has been at Sobrato High School for the past year. She holds a Single Subject Teaching Credential in Geoscience/Earth Science and is working for a second MS, in Teachers in Geosciences, at Mississippi State. Her yearlong Geology/Earth Science course covers the spectrum from Astronomy to Energy & Climate to Geology & Oceanography to Weather. Her materials cover class, labs and exercises.
2006-2007 Awardee
The 2006-2007 Teacher of the Year award of $750 went to Pierre de St. Croix of Harvest Park Middle School in Pleasanton, CA.
2004-2005 Awardee
The 2004-2005 Teacher of the Year award of $750 went to Chaiwat Neokul of Chinese Christian School in San Leandro, CA.
Mr. Neokul came highly recommended by both his school and his students. He teaches sixth grade earth science and ninth grade physical science from a curriculum including units on minerals and mineral resources. He has also been a teacher of physics. Mr. Neokul earned his B.S. in 2001 from Pensacola Christian College.
2001-2002 Awardee
The 2001-2002 Teacher of the Year award of $500 went to Joan Carter of Branham High School in San Jose, CA.
1998-1999 Awardee
The 1998-1999 Teacher of the Year award of $200 went to Margaret Klim of Webster Academy in Oakland, CA.
1997-1998 Awardee
The 1997-1998 Teacher of the Year award of $200 went to Ursula Sexton of Green Valley Elementary School in Danville, CA.