Marin special education teacher gets top county honor

The Marin County Office of Education has named a veteran special education teacher as the 2025 Marin “teacher of the year.”

Susan Wilkinson, a San Rafael resident, has been an early intervention specialist for children 3 to 5 years old at Marindale School in San Rafael since 2006. She has been part of the special education team at the county education office since 1985.

At Marindale, Wilkinson teaches a day class for students with autistic-like behaviors or severe language delays. She works with students with moderate to severe impairments.

Wilkinson received the award in a ceremony Monday in San Rafael.

“During her tenure at Marindale, Susan has distinguished herself as an exceptionally skilled and compassionate teacher,” John Carroll, the county superintendent of schools, said at the ceremony.

“Her dedication has left an indelible mark on students, families and colleagues alike,” Carroll said. “Susan is not only an outstanding educator but also a remarkable individual. Her exemplary character and teaching excellence make her truly exceptional.”

County administrative staff chose Wilkinson for the honor by based on a series of essays she completed over the summer. The process was competitive and required the teachers to answer many questions on their philosophy and devotion to teaching.

“I have always felt that teaching is more than a profession,” Wilkinson, 69, wrote in an essay. “It is a calling fueled by passion and dedication.”

Wilkinson did not start her certificated teaching career until age 50. Before that, she had volunteered at her three children’s schools in San Rafael for 25 years. She also worked as a paraeducator — a non-certificated classroom aide to teachers — from 1985 to 2006.

Once her children were grown, Wilkinson went back to school, completing a graduate degree in education at San Jose State University in 2007. She also received multiple teaching certifications.

“This was the best decision of my life,” Wilkinson said. “I thrive on the daily challenges I face with my students, who have varying degrees of disabilities.”

“From my first teaching job with the Marin County Office of Education, I knew this was my true calling,” she said.

Alicia Ncho-Oguie of Novato, the parent of a daughter with special needs, said Wilkinson is well-known to Marin parents who have children with disabilities.

“She’s wonderful,” said Ncho-Oguie, co-chair of the Marin advocacy group Dedication to Special Education. “We love her.”

For about 10 years, Wilkinson has devoted one Saturday per month of her free time to running a playtime group at the Marindale School for children with special needs from around the area. The event is organized by Dedication to Special Education.

“I have worked with Susan on the DSE Playtime for many years,” said Kira Cordasco, a member of Dedication to Special Education. “Susan has been at the heart of DSE’s Playtime since its inception.”

Wilkinson “volunteers her time because she cares deeply about this community,” Cordasco said.

“Susan is always looking for ways to help her students and their families in ways that are above and beyond,” she said.

Wilkinson, like other special education teachers, faced great obstacles during the pandemic and remote learning. Engaging preschoolers with autism via Zoom was particularly challenging, she said.

“To address this, I personally delivered weekly packets to each student’s home, providing art activities, online resources and a Mat Man assembly project,” Wilkinson said. That personal touch gave her students and their parents a chance to get some face-to-face support.

“My greatest accomplishment in education has been empowering parents to become active participants in their child’s learning,” Wilkinson said. “Parents have told me that I have not only changed their child’s life, but their entire family’s life.”

The teacher-of-the-year program recognizes exemplary educators who demonstrate leadership and innovation in the classroom and beyond. A recognition event will take place at the annual Golden Bell Awards ceremony on May 22 at Dominican University of California in San Rafael.

Wilkinson’s award puts her in contention for the state teacher-of-the-year award. The honoree will be announced in October.