Sacramento County Office of Education group photo at the annual countywide teacher recognition ceremony. Photo courtesy of Sacramento Office of Education

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - A kindergarten teacher and a 9th-12th grade English and English Language Development teacher have been named the two Sacramento County Teachers of the Year 2027. The Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) revealed the top honorees Friday evening during its annual countywide teacher recognition ceremony.

Mary Linden, a kindergarten teacher at Arthur S. Dudley Elementary School (Center Joint Unified School District) and Maria Rugama, a 9th-12th grade English and English Language Development teacher at Galt High School (Galt Joint Union High School District), were selected from local district nominees across the county. Both educators advance to the statewide competition, where five teachers will be announced as California Teachers of the Year in October 2026.

Following the announcement at the ceremony, Board Vice President Vanessa Caigoy presented both winners with the Elinor Lincoln Hickey Award of Merit, the highest honor bestowed by the Sacramento County Board of Education. The Sacramento Scottish Rite also presented perpetual trophies, maintaining a longstanding community tradition.

Throughout the 2026–27 school year, all district Teachers of the Year will be recognized at upcoming local events, including special honoree games hosted by the Sacramento Kings, Sacramento River Cats and Sacramento Republic FC.