Three Valley teachers are being honored this month for their excellence and dedication in serving students and the community

Tracy Petroske, math teacher at Mount Si High School, Nancy Pastrana, a first grade teacher at Opstad Elementary School and Patrick “PJ” Duvall, the head custodian at Fall City Elementary, are the Snoqualmie Valley Schools Foundation Educators of the Year for 2009.

Foundation members surprised the three employees of Snoqualmie Valley School District with announcements and on-the-hush school visits on Friday, Feb. 27.

Each year, the Educator of the Year award is given to three educators —one teacher for preschool through grade five, one teacher in grades six to 12, and one classified employee — who exemplify commitment to excellence in education and dedication to students. Nominations can come from colleagues, parents and students and are evaluated by an independent committee of Snoqualmie Valley Chamber of Commerce members.

The Educators of the Year will be publicly honored for this outstanding achievement at the Snoqualmie Valley Schools Foundation Spring Fundraising Luncheon, 11:30 a.m., Thursday, March 26 at the Snoqualmie Ridge Golf Club. Community members are invited to honor these educators and to hear from students and teachers how the foundation’s funding impacts classrooms across the Valley.

The Snoqualmie Valley Schools Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to building community support for public schools and securing resources to provide the best possible education for our students.

To RSVP or get information about the luncheon event, visit www.SVSFoundation.org.