'Teacher of the Year' gets pink slip amid budget cuts By Daniel Macht, NBCBayArea.com She's been called the best teacher in her city, and she may be out of a job. Sacramento sixth grade teacher Michelle Apperson was recently named "Teacher of the Year" for her entire district. A pink slip from California's cash-starved government followed the good news for the Sutterville Elementary School teacher of nine years, KXTV reported. According to The Sacramento Bee, the Sacramento City Unified School district approved $28 million in budget cuts earlier this year. The district is bracing for a worst-case scenario that it will have to cut another $15 million if Gov. Jerry Brown's tax hike initiative fails to make the grade with voters in November, the Bee reported. "It hurts on a personal level because I really love what I do," Apperson told KXTV of losing her livelihood. But professionally and politically or economically I get why it happens. For more, visit NBCBayArea.com A district spokesman told KXTV the teacher layoffs were based on seniority, not performance, and mandated by the state. Apperson is reportedly no. 8 on a list of teachers to be rehired if her district regains its funding.