SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, the largest credit union in California and the largest serving school employees and their families, in partnership with ABC10 Sacramento and Sacramento State’s College of Education, announced that Barbara Brooks, a teacher at Shriners Children’s Hospital in partnership with the Sacramento City Unified School District, has been named the 2025-26 ABC10 Teacher of the Year. The award was presented during a ceremony at the Esquire IMAX Theatre in downtown Sacramento on May 13.

Brooks was selected from a pool of 12 monthly honorees. She has more than 30 years of teaching experience, including her work as a teacher at Shriners Children’s, where she supports students as they continue their education during treatment and recovery. As the Esquire IMAX ABC10 Teacher of the Year, Brooks received a $5,000 prize from SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union.

“Barbara Brooks exemplifies the profound impact school employees can have, especially in nontraditional settings like a hospital,” said Josh Smith, vice president of school and community relations at SchoolsFirst FCU. “Her work supporting students as they navigate serious medical challenges speaks to the heart of what this recognition is all about.”

In place for over 20 years, the Teacher of the Month program highlights local teachers making a difference in the lives of their students and families. To nominate a local teacher in the greater Sacramento/Stockton/Modesto area for a future Teacher of the Month, visit ABC10 Teacher of the Month at https://www.abc10.com/teacher-of-the-month. 

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union is dedicated to improving the financial lives of its Members. Founded in 1934 by 126 school employees, the Member‑owned cooperative provides a full range of financial products and services to more than 1.5 million Members and is the largest financial institution dedicated to serving school employees and their families. SchoolsFirst FCU has been named California’s top credit union by Forbes for seven consecutive years and recognized by J.D. Power as the #1 Credit Union for Member Banking Satisfaction for two years in a row. With more than $36 billion in assets, SchoolsFirst FCU is the largest credit union in California and the third largest in the United States. For more information, visit schoolsfirstfcu.org.