Joseph Alvarico

Joseph Alvarico is a passionate educator currently residing in the East Bay. Born in the Philippines, he immigrated to the United States in 2004 and has dedicated over two decades teaching in Contra Costa County, primarily in underserved communities. He taught engineering for eight years at Ygnacio Valley High School in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District and four years at Diablo Valley College.

In 2024, Joseph was named California Teacher of the Year for his commitment to student success, the development of meaningful relationships with students, and the creation of community collaborations that guide and fund his programs. He strengthens real-world learning by mentoring students through extracurricular programs such as FIRST Robotics and the Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam, empowering them to lead community service projects through STEM summer camps. His guiding principle, "Leave people better than you found them," underscores his commitment to fostering welcoming and inspiring learning environments. Joseph believes in the power of community-driven initiatives and is constantly looking for new ways to uplift and empower those around him.