A closer look at MDUSD's Teacher of the Year finalists

*Please note: These profiles were updated with new information Feb. 23-24. 

Last week, the Friday Letter highlighted the District's 2026-27 Teachers of the Year: Riverview Middle School’s Mary Acebu and Shore Acres Elementary’s April Saldivar!

This week, we are taking a closer look at the four other finalists: El Dorado Middle School teacher Erin Hernandez, Pleasant Hill Middle School teacher Brendan Moseley, Northgate High School teacher Christine Reimer, and Fair Oaks Elementary teacher Julia Romero. 

These teachers were selected along with Acebu and Saldivar from nearly 150 outstanding educators from TK through grade 12 who were nominated and offered the opportunity to submit a brief questionnaire. The questionnaires were scored by members of the MDUSD Teacher of the Year Selection Committee and the top-scoring individuals were interviewed. 

The MDUSD School Board plans to recognize the District Teachers of the Year, along with finalists and nominees, at its Wednesday, February 25th meeting. Like Acebu and Saldivar, all of the finalists place a high priority on building strong relationships with students, and emphasizing Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) as well as rigorous academics. Below are profiles of each, including what they love about teaching at their schools. 

Erin Hernandez

Hernandez, 47, teaches 6th grade Core and 21st Century Skills, helping students build critical thinking and collaboration skills, at El Dorado MS in Concord. She teaches about 120 students each day, drawing on her 23 years of teaching experience, including 21 years at El Dorado, where she taught 7th grade for 16 years before moving to 6th grade. She collaborates with Mr. Boles for the 21st Century Skills class, based on feedback from parents, most recently creating lessons on financial literacy. She also shares tips with staff about using student data to make sure their teaching strategies are working, so students are learning and growing. 

"I just really love El Dorado," Hernandez said. "I'm so lucky that I get to work here - the way we wrap ourselves around students and help them." Her favorite part of teaching, she said, is connecting with students, their families and staff colleagues. "There’s always something good in every day," she said. "It’s all I’ve ever wanted - to make school more fun for kids, help them learn how to be good people, and also see how they grow. Just getting to be a part of that is something really, really magical. I don’t think a lot of people can say that."

In her Core history class, Hernandez teaches students note-taking skills, which will help them in other classes, and as they progress through middle and high school. She also asks her students for feedback, so she can pinpoint what is working and how she could tweak lessons to make them more engaging. "I really struggled in middle school myself," she said, adding that she grew up in the San Diego area. "I didn’t connect with any of my teachers. I don’t even remember any of them. I never felt safe or protected when I was in middle school. So, I said to myself, 'When I become a teacher, I’ll never let kids have that feeling.' I don’t ever want them to feel alone. I open up my room during lunch for kids to come in and eat, have a fun chat, or not talk at all, but just be in the presence of someone where they feel they’re not being left out. Some of those kids who felt left out end up making new friends. I also try to make it so every kid in my class can access the materials."

Her students said she makes lessons fun and interesting, and they appreciate how well she communicates with them. "I think she's really nice and she's really good at connecting with the students," said Colton Greer, as he held a squishy plush stuffed animal called "Eggdog," who has become so popular that his photo is in the school yearbook. Chloe O'Driscoll said, "She just knows how to talk to kids." And Chloe Wong added, "I think she's really positive and she knows how to teach positively. She doesn't make everything really boring. She teaches so you're engaged in the learning." Hattie Kuhn agreed with her classmates and said she appreciates the time Hernandez gives students to do their work in class so they don't have a lot of homework. She also likes the way Hernandez decorates the classroom. "It's colorful," Hattie said.

El Dorado MS Principal Jeanne Johnson, who started off her career teaching French alongside Hernandez many years ago, is excited to congratulate her on being recognized as a Teacher of the Year finalist. "Whether she is helping students master data-driven goal setting or providing enrichment that pushes their reading skills to the next level, her commitment to innovation is unmatched," Johnson said. "She truly goes the extra mile to engage every learner, and her passion for teaching is felt by everyone who walks into her classroom. We are honored to have her on our team!"

Brendan Moseley

Moseley, 45, teaches 8th grade English, English Language Development (ELD) and Academic Language Development (ALD) at Pleasant Hill MS, where he has taught for 13 years, after starting off his career at Ygnacio Valley HS for one year and Pine Hollow MS for two years. He teaches about 155 students each day and has been the English Dept. chair for 12 years. Moseley also helps train other teachers in technology such as Google Classroom and in analyzing student data to make sure teachers are focusing on priority standards such as using contextual clues to determine word meanings, and intervening effectively to address weaknesses in students' understanding. He also collaborates with grade level chairs and Department Chairs at other MDUSD middle schools to make sure they agree on priority standards and supplementary instructional materials. 

"I like that every single day is different than the day before," he said. "This is a job with ever-shifting sands, and that can be panic-inducing sometimes, but it is also invigorating." Moseley said he enjoys getting to know his students and providing a safe space where they can feel comfortable being themselves, including keeping his classroom open at lunchtime. "I can’t be all things to all kids, but I can be something to some of them when they need it," he said. "Helping them learn how to navigate their lives - especially when there is so much constant change in our world - is an obligation, but also a privilege."

He challenges students by giving them rigorous assignments that help them to critically think about what they read, as well as what they say and write, so they understand the impact their language can have. When he decided to become a teacher, he said: "I thought, there would be no better gift than to put books into the hands of young minds an expose them to the world of ideas. I firmly believe that if you put the right book in the right hands at the right time, it can change lives. I've been fortunate over the years to have kids express to me they’ve read things that have opened their eyes to ideas they've never considered before." He gives students a "menu of books" so they can choose something that resonates with them, and so they can read about something they can see in themselves. "That can be very powerful," he said. 

His students said they appreciate how well he explains their assignments and his expectations, how quickly he grades their work and returns it to them with meaningful feedback that helps them to improve their writing, and how he tries to get to know them and connect with them. "He’s a really good teacher," said Mia Joseph. "He's really kind. And everything you do really helps you with future assignments or future classes you have. He wants to helps you no matter what. He teaches you how to write in a good, and quality way that will help you in college or high school." Parthenia Badrous agreed, adding: "If you show him a paragraph, he tries to understand your perspective, so he can help you make it better." They also appreciate the way he shows them their test scores and grades, so they can track their own progress. "The main goal is to understand how to improve," said Eli Feerer. "He gives us time to get stuff done. He’ll walk around and help, if you need it. He respects us." Moseley asks students for feedback on his lessons. "This shows that he cares about his improvement as much as he cares for our improvement," Eli added. "He explains his thinking better than other teachers."

Pleasant Hill MS Principal Terry McCormick, who nominated Moseley, said he has always been willing to try new technology and curriculum as an early adopter, then mentor the rest of the staff, which benefits the entire school. "He was the first teacher on campus to embrace Google Classroom, the first to pilot STAR tests, and the first to implement i-Ready with fidelity," she said. "He does amazing work. He is very unsung. He is extraordinary. We have College Park HS English teachers come to thank him for sending kids to high school so well prepared. He is the hardest teacher you’ll ever love. He is phenomenal."

Christine Reimer

Reimer, 52, teaches AP U.S. History, Careers in Teaching, and Sociology at Northgate HS in Walnut Creek, where she first taught as a student teacher in 1996, before working as a full-time teacher at Clayton Valley HS through 2013-14, when she returned to Northgate. She taught dance and history at Clayton Valley, but was tapped for Sociology and Careers in Teaching - in addition to history - when she got to Northgate when the previous teachers retired. She completed her Master's Degree in Teaching Leadership at Saint Mary's College of California in 2013, so the principal at the time thought she would be a good fit to work with students interested in teaching, she said. She is now in her 30th year of teaching, and in her sixth year of teaching AP U.S. history. 

"I love the interaction with the students," said Reimer, who teaches 133 students each day. "I look forward to coming to work. The best part is to see them excited about learning and to see them making connections. That’s very fulfilling. I really want my students to learn the things that will help them to understand their world better. History only matters when you can see yourself in it. I'm teaching them skills to analyze information and to be problem-solvers and to be able to craft arguments and utilize evidence effectively. " She tells her Careers in Education students that teachers don't just help students learn reading or math. "You're encouraging them and supporting them to be the best people they can be," she said.

Reimer also enjoys working together with her colleagues. "The collaboration among the Social Sciences Dept. here at Northgate is exemplary," she said. "I wish all teachers had the support and cohesiveness we have. We work together and support each other to create transformative experiences for students that are really unique." These include the school's Mock Congress for seniors and "If I could change the world" project for juniors, as well as helping to support English teachers when students undertake their Senior Projects.

Her students said she is passionate about teaching history and she goes deeper into the curriculum than the AP text. "She knows so much," said AP History junior Raihan Lele. "She's able to add to the text and make it more interesting. AP History junior Anderson Lien agreed. "She has a very dynamic teaching style," he said, adding that she talks about issues such as racism and racial violence, which some teachers might be hesitant to address. They also said she builds relationships with students that make them enjoy coming to class. "She cares about us and about the way we ingest historical reasoning and content," Anderson said. "She knows how to make things stick and get it across to high schoolers." Raihan and Anderson also agreed that the skills Reimer is teaching are beneficial in other classes, as well as in life. "Just in general," Raihan said, "the ability to analyze, reason and opinionate something - I think that's invaluable."

Northgate HS Ethnic Studies and U.S. History teacher Meg Honey first met Reimer as her U.S. History student when Reimer was a student teacher at Northgate. "As her student, I was inspired and excited every day in her class," said Honey, who was named an MDUSD Teacher of the Year in 2017-18. "Christine continues to set the standard for professionalism, empathy, historical knowledge, and dedication. I feel so lucky to be Christine's colleague at Northgate, 31 years after we first met! Congratulations Christine; you are loved, respected, and celebrated by students and teachers alike!"

Julia Romero

Romero, 47, teaches 3rd grade at Fair Oaks Elementary in Pleasant Hill, where she has taught for 21 years, after starting off her career at Sun Terrace Elementary. She also worked at Meadow Homes Elementary for one year. "I love making a difference in the kids’ lives and I love the challenge of getting to know each one and getting to know what works for each of them," she said. "I love that lightbulb moment when all of a sudden they get it and they’re feeling great, and they start liking learning and thinking it’s fun."

Noting that Fair Oaks is a Title 1 (low income) school, Romero said some students have experienced trauma or housing insecurity. "I like to set my classroom up as somewhere they can feel safe, comfortable and that their needs are being met for those hours of the day - and that way they can learn," she said, adding that she teaches 26 students, including 12 who are English learners. "I love being at Fair Oaks," she said, explaining that the administrators and teachers are very supportive. "I feel like we're all working together, helping each other out."

Third grade, Romero said, is her favorite grade to teach. "The students are so independent, but they have some innocence to them," she said. "I feel like they haven’t been influenced a lot by outside or negative things. They’re really open to learning. It’s a chance for me to show them it can be fun and they can be successful." As students take on reading and multiplication and division, Romero enjoys celebrating their successes with them. "I have a lot of kids who come in and are either not reading or they’re struggling," she said. "By the end of the year, it’s so exciting to see their growth. When they take the STAR test, or any assessment, we have a little data conference together. We celebrate any growth, and always come up with a goal. I ask: 'Where do you want to be?' I print out the plot graph that lets me know where they’re on track to be at the end of the year. I show them and we come up with a goal and we adjust it throughout the year. I think it’s so important. They want to see where they really are and how they did. I think that’s one way to get them to slow down and really take ownership of their growth."

Romero's students said she is kind and helpful. "She's the best teacher I ever had," said Mustafa Hassan. Meissen Toumert agreed, saying he likes the variety of activities in class such as sharing in circle time, learning different ways to solve problems, and playing math games. "She makes learning fun," he said. Ariana Lara said she enjoys talking with her classmates in circle time about important things such as why it is important to be honest with your friends. Elina Ayari said she feels safe and happy in Romero's class. "I think she's a great teacher," she said. "We learn a lot of things like math, and she lets us do fun activities on Fridays. And we have a class pet. She is a good person." Dylan Hernandez said he likes the way Romero asks students what they want to do on Fridays, such as using Legos, Chromebooks, or playing with magnet tiles. "I think that my teacher cares about us," he said. Bello Guillermo said Romero treats students with respect. 

Bello's mother, Eden Mok, nominated Romero. "My child, Bello, has ADHD, and a lot of times he carries the stigma of being a trouble maker," Mok said. "Ms. Romero sees past all that chaos and trouble and uncovers the gem my child is. She makes him feel safe and judgement-free. Her empathy and kindness inspires each child to be the best version of themselves. My child isn’t looking forward to the next grade because he doesn’t want to leave Ms. Romero. If she makes my child feel this well taken care of, I know she gives every child the same love."