Hilary Oliver, a fourth-grade teacher at the Woodland Joint Unified School District’s Science and Technology Academy in Knights Landing (Sci-Tech), has been named the Yolo County Teacher of the Year for 2025–2026 by the Yolo County School Boards Association (YCSBA).
“My first reaction was surprise, because there are so many incredible educators out there,” Oliver mentioned. “Very quickly, that turned into excitement to share the news with my team. I work with the most amazing people, and I see this recognition as a team award, not an individual one. Everything I’ve done in my career has been more rewarding, more effective, and more enjoyable when it’s been accomplished as part of a team, and I’m so happy to share this with them.”
Oliver remembers eager to be a teacher as far again as sixth grade. In an interview with The Daily Democrat again in 2018, Oliver talked about that she used to make her little brother sit on the edge of her mattress in her room, instructing him tips on how to learn, although he was not fairly sufficiently old. This ambition caught along with her.
After instructing for 19 years at Woodland Prairie Elementary, the identical website the place she accomplished her pupil instructing project whereas in her credential program at National University, she returned to Davis and accepted a place at Sci-Tech. She recollects attending her first workers assembly, pondering to herself, “There are my people, I could feel it already.”
WJUSD Superintendent Elodia Ortega-Lampkin introduced the honor throughout the District’s first all-staff assembly in August.
“We are incredibly proud of Mrs. Oliver and the impact she has had on her students, her colleagues, and our community,” mentioned Ortega-Lampkin. “Her dedication and belief in every student’s potential make her an outstanding educator. This recognition is a reflection of her hard work, commitment, and collaborative spirit. We are fortunate to have her representing our District at the county and state level.”
Oliver, now in her thirty first yr as an educator, has spent almost her complete instructing profession in WJUSD. She is at the moment celebrating her tenth yr at Sci-Tech. Over the years, she has additionally taught third and fifth grades, supported Ok–6 college students as a studying intervention teacher, and even spent a yr instructing bodily training.
“I believe the most important thing is recognizing that all children can learn and improve,” Oliver mentioned. “When we focus on growth and progress, students really do succeed. I also think it’s essential to help students see that struggle is not something to fear—it’s something to embrace. Those moments of challenge are when their brains are growing the most, and I want my students to celebrate that.”
She added that what she values most about instructing is getting ready youngsters for achievement whereas collaborating along with her colleagues.
“I love knowing that I can set children up for success in life—not just by helping them build academic skills, but also by helping them believe in themselves,” Oliver mentioned. “I also deeply value working with colleagues who share those same goals. Some of my most rewarding experiences have been collaborating with other educators to support students together.”
YCSBA works to extend public consciousness and appreciation of training in Yolo County. Its annual award ceremony acknowledges excellence in training from the 5 faculty districts in Yolo County, as nicely as the Yolo County Office of Education and the Los Rios and Yuba Community College districts.
Oliver can be honored alongside different educators at the YCSBA Excellence in Education Awards on Monday, Sept. 29, at Woodland Community College. As the Yolo County Teacher of the Year, she will even be thought of for the 2026 California Teacher of the Year Award by the California Department of Education.
In 2018, Oliver was highlighted by the Daily Democrat in a Teacher Appreciation story, sharing that she cherished instructing fourth grade as a result of it was the proper match for her. She elaborated that that is the age at which college students start to take extra accountability for his or her actions.
“I fell in love with fourth grade,” she mentioned. “I really enjoy that age group,” which is usually 9 and 10-year-olds. It is neat to look at them develop.”
Last yr, science teacher Mary Park was chosen as the Yolo County Teacher of the Year by the Yolo County School Boards Association (YCSBA). Park has been a teacher at Pioneer High School for 19 years, instructing the medical pathway lessons — together with Medical Biology and Emergency Medicine 1 and a pair of — as half of the career-technical training (CTE) program.