BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Three Kern County educators were finalists in the annual Education Champions of the Year celebration Thursday.

The event took place at the Bell Tower Plaza with 57 teachers applying for the prestigious award. They faced a rigorous screening process that examined teaching style, short videos and recommendations from students and colleagues.

“When we take the time to evaluate what it is they are doing and speak about it, it provides others the opportunity to learn and grow and develop their own skills as well. We have these amazing people throughout the communities around kern county who are making children’s lives better throughout all of our communities and this is our chance to highlight that,” Malaika Bryant, a director with the Kern County Superintendent of Schools said.

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The three chosen were Angel Rose Gabion, a special education teacher at West High School,
Edmund “Ned” Maino, a veteran social science teacher and department chair at Tehachapi High School and Amanda Meszaros, a veteran special education teacher serving students with extensive support needs at Stockdale Elementary School.

They’re now elligible to apply for the state Teacher of the Year Program.

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