It was back to the ‘40s and ‘50s on Friday night as the 2026 Santa Cruz County Teacher of the Year event rocked around the clock with a Sock Hop theme.
Twenty-one teachers from throughout the county were honored at the banquet including Kyndra Ortiz, Sonoita Elementary School District #25; Elliote Codding, Patagonia Union High School District #20; and, Audrey Doles, Patagonia Elementary School District #6.
County Supervisors Luis Carlos Davis (District 1), Rudy Molera (District 2) and John Fanning (District 3) were on hand to pay tribute to the educators. County Manager Jesus Valdez and Assistant County Manager Chris Young joined in the festivities at Pierson High School in Nogales. Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Public Schools Maya Donnelly served as emcee, with entertainment provided by the Rio Rico Hawx Dance Team.
Journee Hayes, the 2025 Santa Cruz County Teacher of the Year from Patagonia, spoke on her path to becoming a teacher, a journey that started with a major in journalism and ended with diplomas. She noted how impressed she was with this year’s nominees as they reminded her “why we do the most important job in the world”.
The 2026 Teacher of the Year distinction went to Ravi Dutt Chauntiyal of Nogales High School. Kim Gonzales of Pierson High School received runner-up honors. Both schools are located in the Nogales Unified School District #1.
This is the 19th year the county has lauded educators with a special night focused on their contributions to the field and future of America.
The Rio Rico High School Hawx Dance Team provided entertainment for the Teacher of the Year banquet held at Pierson High School in Nogales. (Photos by Carrie White) 
The contingent from the Sonoita Elementary School District #25 included (from left) Kyndra Ortiz, the school’s 2026 nominee and middle school math teacher; Christine Clouse, special education; Anna Coleman, 2025 Teacher of the Year runner-up and art educator; Callie Mattus, elementary lead teacher second grade educator; and Heidi Gonzales, business manager and human resource professional. (Photos by Carrie White) 
Representing Patagonia Schools were Maureen Digan, K-7 special education teacher; Kenny Hayes, superintendent and principal of Districts #6 and #20; Journee Hayes, 2025 Santa Cruz County Teacher of the Year and high school English teacher; and, Cynthia Matus Morriss, who served on Patagonia school boards 36 years before retiring in 2024. (Photos by Carrie White) 
Santa Cruz County School Superintendent Maya Donnelly presents Sonoita Middle School Math Teacher Kyndra Ortiz with her trophy as one of 21 Santa Cruz County Teacher of the Year nominees for 2026. 
District 3 Supervisor John Fanning and wife Susie arrive at the sock hop-themed banquet for the 2026 Santa Cruz County Teacher of the Year. (Photos by Carrie White)