Described as a leader, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable, Hope School District teacher Allison Heiduk was awarded the county’s 2014-2015 teacher of the year on Thursday. A 22-year veteran educator currently teaching third grade at Vieja Valley Elementary School, Heiduck was praised not only for her ability to motivate and inspire students but fellow teachers as well. At her first gig in the Belmont school district, Heiduk helped win a $2 million grant from the Joint Venture Silicon Valley Network to help students prepare for 21st-century learning and critical thinking. “It sounds like the Common Core,” said County Superintendent of Schools Bill Cirone as he presented the award. Now, Heiduk is a leader in implementing the new criteria and assessments in her classroom and across campus. Her goal moving forward? “Get kids excited,” she said. “Motivation is the key issue we have in education.”