Niwot Elementary School 2024 Teacher of the Year - Becky Gaccetta

Becky Gaccetta was awarded the Niwot Elementary School 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year by the St. Vrain School District Education Foundation on April 20. Two finalists and one Teacher of the Year are awarded for each school. In addition, there are four finalists for the district and one overall SVVSD Teacher of the Year.

Gaccetta sees herself as just one of many deserving colleagues.

"Being nominated [for Teacher of the Year] is always an honor...," said Becky Gaccetta, Intermediate Special Education teacher at NES, "as the staff at Niwot Elementary are truly an amazing group of educators. The people that I work with push me to be a better teacher each and every day. There are so many people in the building that are deserving of this, it is a great feeling to be chosen to be a finalist."

Gaccetta has been at NES for the past nine years but has been teaching in SVVSD for the past 21 years. Additionally, Gaccetta is the Intermediate MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) coordinator, AAA (Achievement Acceleration Academy) coordinator, and was on the Elementary Math Adoption committee this year.

Gaccetta has been nominated twice in the past, once during her time at Mountain View Elementary and the other during her time at NES. Nominations were made by faculty, parents, and the community. After nominations were made, a committee reviewed the nominations and winners were selected for each school and district.

This was Gaccetta's first win. "It was really a shock because both of the other nominees (Kelly Bernhardt and Jessica Waggoner) are just as worthy to receive it," said Gaccetta.

"Niwot Elementary is one of a kind," she said. "The teachers [and community] truly go above and beyond to meet their students' needs and to provide a safe, nurturing environment... The students that I work with are the reason behind why I come to work every day."

Gaccetta said that she is motivated to keep doing what she does every time she sees students accomplish something they have been struggling with, or continue to strive. "To be a part of those accomplishments, no matter how big or small they may seem, means the world to me," she said. "They are my 'why'."

Nancy Pitz, principal at NES added, "Becky is an amazing educator [who] goes above and beyond in everything she does. She cares deeply about her students and holds them accountable for their learning in such a way that [her students] know they can do anything."