“Ms. Erickson is an asset to the students and faculty of River City High School”

WOODLAND, CA (MPG) - On Monday, September 27, the Yolo County School Boards Association (YCSBA) announced its 2021-2022 Teacher of the Year. This year’s honor goes to Betsy Erickson, a physical education teacher, assistant swim coach and AVID site coordinator at River City High School in West Sacramento. Erickson has worked for the Washington Unified School District since 1992.

Erickson was selected from among the teachers nominated from the five school districts in Yolo County and the Yolo County Office of Education. Her selection was announced at the annual ‘Excellence in Education’ awards ceremony on Monday evening.

In her nomination materials, school leaders credit Erickson with finding and creating opportunities for students to be physically active – both in and outside the classroom. During distance learning last year, she introduced yoga to her physical education classes. In 2020, she completed a fitness challenge to walk 2,020 miles by December 31, 2020 and invited her students and colleagues to join her.

Erickson will now go on to represent Yolo County in the statewide California Teacher of the Year Program through the California Department of Education.

Next school year will mark Erickson’s thirtieth year of teaching in the same West Sacramento school district where she first started her career. After earning her teaching credential from Sacramento State in 1991, she started as a substitute teacher in the district and then was hired full-time at Golden State Middle School. She also taught at Elkhorn Village Elementary School before transferring to River City High School in 2017.

Erickson was selected by a nominating committee who reviewed the submitted nominations for Teacher of the Year. Each candidate was evaluated on their contribution to the success of operations, student achievement, and the provision of support to other professionals in their respective districts.

In her nomination materials, school and district leaders also shared their enthusiasm for selecting her as Teacher of the Year.

“Ms. Erickson is an asset to the students and faculty of River City High School,” said Principal Brittony Billingslea. “She most certainly needs to be rewarded for the amount of time, compassion and effort that she spends honing her craft and servicing the West Sacramento community.”

“Her skills, devotion to students, and work ethic have made a huge impact with our students and staff,” said Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Stan Mojsich. “Ms. Erickson has always stepped up to challenges to help her students.”

Asked about her teaching philosophy, Erickson states, “Education is a multifaceted career and is always evolving. Each new group of students is an opportunity to refine my teaching practices.”

The Yolo County School Boards Association works to increase public awareness and appreciation of educational efforts in Yolo County. For more information on the Yolo County School Boards Association, visit the YCSBA’s webpage on the YCOE website at: www.ycoe.org.