Deer Valley High teacher, Maria McClain named semi-finalist for 2016 California Teacher of the Year
Maria McClain, math teacher, Deer Valley High School, Antioch Unified School District
By Allen Payton
Deer Valley High math teacher, Maria McClain was recently named one of the eight semi-finalists for 2016 California’s Teacher of the Year. Each year thousands of teachers throughout the State are nominated by their Districts. Finalists from each County are then nominated for the State award.
was recognized for her contribution to the teaching profession at a gala held last week in Sacramento. She is the only teacher from Contra Costa County to be either a semi-finalist or finalist for 2016.
McClain is in her 29th year of teaching grades 10–12 for the Antioch Unified School District. For the past 20 years, McClain has been at Deer Valley High School (Antioch). McClain has taught high school pre-calculus, AP Calculus, AP statistics, and algebra, as well as junior high school mathematics and algebra.
Last year, she was chosen as one of two 2015–2016 Teachers of the Year for Contra Costa County.
McClain obtained her undergraduate college units at Diablo Valley College, followed by earning her bachelor’s degree in mathematics and teaching credentials at California State University, Sacramento.
“Congratulations Ms. McClain and Deer Valley High School — you continue the tradition of great teaching in the Antioch Unified School District,” reads the statement on the AUSD Facebook page.
For more information on the California Teachers of the Year, visit www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr15/yr15rel79.asp.
