Sacramento, CA – ABC10, in partnership with SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union and Sacramento State’s College of Education, is proud to announce Holly Gotwals of Rocklin Unified Adult Transition Program as Teacher of the Month for January 2024. In place for 20+ years, Teacher of the Month is one of ABC10’s signature community enrichment initiatives designed to highlight local teachers making a difference in the lives of their students and families.
After being interviewed recently by ABC10’s Mark S. Allen, a seven-time Emmy Award winning member of the news team, an uplifting story about Ms. Gotwals will air multiple times during the month of January. The first time the story will air is on Tuesday, January 9* during ABC10’s morning news between 5-7 a.m. and again that same evening during ABC10 News at 5 p.m.
A graduate of Sacramento State, Ms. Gotwals has been teaching for 23 years. She teaches a special education adult transition class for students 18-22 years old who have moderate/severe needs and did not receive a high school diploma. The focus of her class is to teach the students functional English, functional math, current events, independent living skills, vocational, cooking, nutrition/fitness, community skills, social/safety skills, career awareness, self-advocacy, and mobility training.
When asked to share advice to those considering a career path in teaching, Ms. Gotwals said, “My advice for future teachers is to make sure you find your passion and love for teaching. I know many teachers get burned out but I love teaching and wake up every morning excited to go to work. I have my multiple subject credentials because I was told I would want to leave special education. In my case, that is not true. I have never taught anything besides special education and have been teaching adult transition for 19 years. Teachers need to be patient, have an understanding of their students, collaborate with parents, and be lifelong learners themselves.”
As part of being recognized as Teacher of the Month, Ms. Gotwals will receive $1,000 from SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union plus will be eligible for the title of ABC10’s Esquire IMAX Teacher of the Year – that includes a $5,000 prize – which will be announced at a special awards program next year.
To nominate a local teacher in the greater Sacramento/Stockton/Modesto area for an upcoming Teacher of the Month, please visit abc10.com/teacherofthemonth.