Meet Contra Costa County's Teachers of the Year: Rosie and Kelly

Photo by Julie Cheshire Photography

www.NorthgateLivingCA.com

@NorthgateLivingCA

Story by Kara Navolio, Northgate resident since 1991

The Northgate neighborhood is home to two of our county’s top educators: Rosie Ried and Kelly Perkins.

Rosie, who teaches English and English Language Development at Northgate High School, lives with her husband and five children in the Diablo Shadows area. “We moved here because we wanted to be able to send our kids outside to go play and to be able to say, ‘Don’t come back until dinner’ like our parents used to say to us,” says Rosie.

Kelly, who teaches Special Education at Ygnacio Valley High Scholl, lives near Foothill Middle School. Her two daughters graduated from Northgate HS, and her son is currently a senior there. Kelly grew up right here in Northgate and also graduated from NHS. “What I enjoy most about the Northgate neighborhood,” states Kelly, “is the quiet community, nice neighbors, beautiful surroundings, wonderful trails to bike and hike on, and the wonderful shops and restaurants so close by.”

Each year teachers are nominated by parents, students, administrators or colleagues to be considered for “Teacher of the Year.” Each district in the county then selects a finalist by an extensive process including observing the teacher in the classroom, reading essays submitted by the nominees and interviews. Larger districts like Mt. Diablo Unified get two finalists. The district finalists then compete for the County Teacher of the Year title. Because Contra Costa is a very large district, it also chooses two finalists to compete for the State Teacher of the Year. It is very unusual that both of the 2018 County Teachers of the Year would come from one neighborhood and the same district. As Rosie explains, “The fact that both Contra Costa County Teachers of the Year were from Mt. Diablo Unified School District is really unusual and speaks very highly of our district. MDUSD is doing really great things, because teachers are only as strong as their community!”

Rosie and family at Lego Land

Rosie was chosen from all of the counties in California to go on to represent our state in the National Teacher of the Year competition. “This entire experience has been such an honor, and my hope is that it sheds light on the great work that is happening in our public schools right here in our community,” says Rosie.

Rosie, who has a B.A. in English Literature from Westmont College and a Master’s from UC Berkeley, has been teaching for 17 years. “My teaching philosophy can best be described with the Albert Einstein quote, ‘If I were to remain silent, I’d be guilty of complicity.’ I seek to engage students to pursue a more just world, and I work to give them the tools to do so.” Her husband, Jeff Hagerstrand, is also a teacher, now working at Horizons Center for Independent Study. They and their five children, who range in age from 14 to 1, (Leo, Elondra, Atticus, Ariana, and Zora) are a family of readers. Their dog Shindig rounds out the family of seven. When they are not too busy with all the kids’ activities, they enjoy time in Point Arena in the Mendocino area where Rosie grew up or spending time at the Woodlands Cabana Club.

Kelly has been teaching for 27 years and has experience in elementary, middle and high school special day classes. She received her credential and Master’s degree from St. Mary’s College in Moraga and is also on faculty there as an adjunct instructor and supervisor of student teachers. As a special education teacher at Ygnacio Valley HS she works a great deal on life skills as well as academics. She teaches her students to be independent by teaching them cooking, budgeting, planning and shopping. Her class also makes a music video each year which can be seen on YouTube. “My philosophy of education is the same as it has been since I started teaching 27 years ago, and that is: Given the right environment - one that is conducive to learning, given the right materials - which include technologies when appropriate, and the right mental can-do attitude of both the teacher and student - ALL STUDENTS are capable of succeeding, regardless of their socioeconomic background, ethnicity or ability levels. It’s up to me to tap into each and every student’s learning potential with whom I come in contact.”

Kelly with boyfriend Dave and her three children

Her dog Duke, who is a trained service dog, comes to school with her every day to help with student behavior and emotional support. Her daughter Cassie is a graduate of Westmont College and now works with seniors at Aegis as an Activities Assistant. Both Cassie and her sister Kara were very involved with dance most of their lives, dancing at Dance Connection Performing Arts Centre in Concord. Kara is continuing to dance at Chico State University. Carson is 17 and has played baseball, football and basketball. In addition to Duke, the family also has a kitten named Remi. However, she only answers to Baby Kitty or Kitty Kitty.

Kelly and her boyfriend Dave Goldman enjoy a vacation once a year to check off bucket list destinations like South Africa and Peru. The family also enjoys time each year in Maui with Kelly’s parents.

Join me in congratulating Rosie and Kelly on their selections as Contra Costa Teachers of the Year and thanking them for their commitment to the children of our community.