UPDATE: Through Region 1 and beyond. Piner’s Simone Spearman was named Educator of the Year for all of California at the annual California League of High Schools Confererence in Sacramento last weekend.

“Way to go, Simone! You are amazing!” Piner Principal Sally Bimrose wrote in a message to the Prospectors staff. Bimrose called it an important win for both Spearman and the entire Piner community.

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I got lots of emails about this one.

Piner High School English teacher has been named Educator of the Year for Region 1 which covers high school from Marin to Humboldt counties. Nominees may be teachers, administrators, counselors or other certificated personnel.

Spearman, who has taught English for 12 years, including eight at Piner, was chosen from among a group of 10 educators from area high schools. All 10 finalists will be honored at the Feb. 3 County Board of Education meeting.

The other honored teachers are:

Laurel Aiona, Rancho Cotate High School

John Cortopassi, Santa Rosa High

Ken Emery, Maria Carrillo High

Sharon Howell, Casa Grande High

John Linker, Healdsburg High

Kyle Thompson, Elsie Allen High

Catlin Tucker, Windsor High

Sarah Wadsworth, Petaluma High

Paige Warmerdam, Montgomery High

And Spearman from Piner

The 10 finalists were honored at the California League of High Schools Region 1 awards dinner earlier this month in Healdsburg. Spearman was honored for the exemplary contributions she has made to high school education in the region, according to the Sonoma County Office of Education.

One candidate is selected to represent 11 regions in the state and from that group the California High School Educator of the Year is selected. That California League of High Schools event is in Sacramento in February.

Piner principal Sally Bimrose was one of many who drew my attention to the award which she called “great news for Piner and a well deserved award for Ms. Spearman!”