Tickner had just won the Teacher of the Year for Contra Costa County. San Ramon Valley Unified School District English teacher Kathleen Moore and Mt. Diablo High School science teacher Sandy Johnson-Shaw were the other two county finalists.
Scinto knows why Tickner was chosen for the honor: Tickner has a magical touch, a knack for encouraging her students to take up challenges they never would have attempted without her encouragement. Scinto recalled a scene from his first year at Excelsior: "My first year here I went into one of her American Arts and Crafts classes to see 32 middle school boys crocheting and happy to be doing so."
The multi-grade art and drama teacher has lived in Discovery Bay for 27 years and has been teaching for 20. For her, the Teacher of the Year award is about spreading the word about her school.
"I'm ecstatic over the thought that my school will be in the spotlight and be able to show off all the other wonderful programs and teachers that make up the heart of our school climate," she said.
Tickner admits she has been receiving praise for the award but she stays humble by acknowledging that her success is possible only because of the community she lives in: "Being selected as the County Teacher of the Year is really a reflection of the amazing people that we have living out here."
Tickner said the award shows how the county is interested in increasing awareness of these disciplines: "I believe the county's decision to recognize me as their top educator also lets the public know that Contra Costa County supports the arts education in their schools."
According to Tickner, it wasn't by mistake that an art and drama teacher was selected. "It sends a clear message about the inclusion of an arts education for our kids."
Tickner hopes the selection of an art educator as the top county teacher will "hopefully encourage other educators to be innovative, divergent and creative in their teaching methods and strategies."
Her favorite part of teaching is being with students and watching how "creative and competent they can be when given the effective encouragement, compassionate support and quality materials."
One of the ways she does this is by directing school plays. Excelsior's current production, "The Velveteen Rabbit," has two separate casts performing in alternate shows, allowing twice as many students the opportunity to tickle the boards.
To see the finished product of some of Tickner's hard work, catch "The Velveteen Rabbit" tonight and tomorrow at 6 and 8 p.m. at Excelsior Middle School, 14401 Byron Highway. Tickets are $7 for adults; $5 for students, children and seniors.
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