Gretchen Venkatesh

Teaching is not just a profession for me, it is my lifelong passion. For the past ten years, my teaching focus has been on special education and gifted enrichment in the public school setting. Before that I taught math at the community college level and science at a private middle school. Over the course of my career I have found serving in the public school setting to be the most rewarding. I have co-taught English Language Arts, Science, Math, and History in the inclusion setting. In the resource room, I have taught specialized reading, ELA and Science, as well as Gifted Enrichment. I am known for my positivity, innovation and resilience as a teacher familiar with the challenges of teaching students with exceptional needs and making productive connections with their families. My focus is always on my students' growth, both academic and social-emotional, whether gifted or special needs. To support them to become highly motivated, independent learners in their own right, my belief has always been that every child has a gift to give and my purpose as their teacher is to develop their gift and empower them to see themselves as the hero in their own journey.

• 2025 National Honor Society Grant recipient
• 2024 California Teacher of the Year, Alameda County
• 2019 National Scholastic Art & Writing Award for "Outstanding Educator"
• 2016-17 School Year NM Public Education Department Award: Recognition of Excellence as "Highly Effective Teacher"
• May 2016: Highest Honors conferred with Secondary Licensure/Certification, Endorsement in English Language Arts
• May 2016: Highest Honors conferred with Special Education Licensure/Certification