BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- Educators and support staff were recognized during the inaugural Kern County Education Champions Dinner. In past years, the Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office has honored teachers of the year, but this year they included employees including bus drivers and janitors. CSU Bakersfield introduces Ari Wideman as women’s basketball coach Fifty-nine teachers of the year were chose in their respective school districts, but the pool was narrowed down to just three on Tuesday. The three finalists for 2024 are: Stephanie Holladay Charles Wallis Cattrice Toles All three are now eligible to apply for the California Teacher of the Year program. Chief of staff at KCSOS said, "They are incredible educators. Their peers nominate them, they actually go and interview them, they look at their school site, they watch what they're doing and then they evaluate them and pick them over all their peers in the county so this is a big deal for these folks."