Been outta town and catching up on stuff ...
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO—Fifty-seven teachers have been selected as the top educator at their schools, officials from the Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD) and Capistrano Unified Education Association (CUEA) announced recently. They will now compete to be named one of three District Teachers of the Year.
The teachers are selected by their peers at the school site level before being evaluated by a committee at the District level.
“Teachers are at the core of what we do and I want to thank them for their excellent work in the classroom,” Board of Trustees President Jack Brick said. “I know whoever is selected to represent the District at the next level will do so proudly.”
The District winners will be announced in March and recognized at the annual Teacher of the Year Celebration at Ocean Hills Church in San Juan Capistrano on Thursday, April 28. The three winners—one each at the elementary, middle and high school levels—will then compete in the Orange County Teacher of the Year contest.
“I am proud that our teachers have selected the best of their colleagues to represent their school,” CUEA President Vicki Soderberg said. “Even after all of the sacrifices being made by school teachers and other employees, they come to work with one purpose—ensuring the best possible education for every student. Being able to recognize that commitment to our children is the least we can do.”
CUSD employs about 2,100 teachers at 56 school sites. They average more than 15 years of experience as teachers and more than half have earned at least a master’s degree. Just over 20 percent of teachers statewide have a master’s degree.
“Capistrano Unified has highly qualified, highly talented and highly dedicated educators,” Superintendent Joe Farley said. “This group of honorees proves that to be true. We have excellent teaching every day, and I commend these professionals for representing their peers in this important recognition.”
The current District Teachers of the Year are Jennifer Henchel, Bathgate Elementary School; Jennifer Todd, Fred Newhart Middle School; and Kathleen Sigafoos, San Clemente High School.
2011 Teachers of the Year
Kim Weirath Ambuehl Elementary
Dana Buxton Arroyo Vista Elementary
Maryann Mackey Barcelona Hills Elementary
Tiffany Gilstrap Bathgate Elementary
Sylvia Evans Truman Benedict Elementary
Tracy Werner Marian Bergeson Elementary
Cheryl Kilker Canyon Vista Elementary
Leah Morrill Castille Elementary
Annette Burns Chaparral Elementary
Kurt Page Concordia Elementary
Elisa Schoonover Crown Valley Elementary
Lorna Judd R.H. Dana Elementary
Tracy Kerins R.H. Dana ENF
Carol Allen Del Obispo Elementary
Tanya Osborne Don Juan Avila Elementary
Chris Burridge Carl Hankey Elementary
Jodi Murphy Hidden Hills Elementary
Terri Arndt Kinoshita Elementary
Melinda Emery Ladera Ranch Elementary
Pebble Cunningham Laguna Niguel Elementary
Laurie Lowy Las Flores Elementary
Star Morales Las Palmas Elementary
Sue Lederman Clarence Lobo Elementary
Rob Martin John Malcolm Elementary
Dana Hurlbut Marblehead Elementary
Steve Ciolek Moulton Elementary
Quinelle Thornburg Elementary Music
Bob Johnson Oak Grove Elementary
Mary Haupt Oso Grande Elementary
Mary Slaght Palisades Elementary
Mary Guerra Philip Reilly Elementary
Martha Garcia-Serrato San Juan Elementary
Bobbie Thibault Tijeras Creek Elementary
Michelle Rucker Viejo Elementary
Amy Sachse Vista del Mar Elementary
Lisa Jarrard Wagon Wheel Elementary
Toni Germain George White Elementary
Michelle Shultz Wood Canyon Elementary
Jane Kluck Aliso Viejo Middle
Justine Lawson Arroyo Vista Middle
Matt Brock Bernice Ayer Middle
Robert C. Nahl Don Juan Avila Middle
Carol Foote Carl Hankey Middle
Bonnie Liedlich Ladera Ranch Middle
Jennifer Pidgeon-Pagliei Las Flores Middle
Eric Takach Marco Forster Middle
Mark Boncuk Newhart Middle
Marlene Olsen Niguel Hills Middle
John Davey Shorecliffs Middle
Kim Hanley Vista del Mar Middle
Dan Bornfeld Aliso Niguel High
Michael Grabowski Capistrano Valley High
Robin Mairs Dana Hills High
Greg Young San Clemente High
Betsy Schmitz San Juan Hills High
Rebecca Bailey Junipero Serra High
Deanna Gross Tesoro High
Congratulations to all those listed. Well done.
Posted by: mroth1987 | February 24, 2011 at 10:13 PM
Congratulations to these outstanding teachers. Teachers are the heart and soul of education and are the reason why our schools have long traditions of success.
Posted by: Love My Teachers | February 25, 2011 at 06:37 AM
Congratulations to Mrs. Evans - Truman Benedict. My daughter really enjoyed her a few years ago. She really tries to understand what makes each kid tick so they can do their best.
Posted by: aaa | February 25, 2011 at 08:13 AM
Congratulations, teachers. You have been selected as the winning teachers at your respective schools. However, I believe it is the students whose lives you have touched who are the real winners. Enjoy your recognition and reach out to the new teachers to help them also become paragons of teaching.
Posted by: Public School Supporter | February 25, 2011 at 12:00 PM
Congratulations to all of the winners! I have met many of these fine teachers and they have earned this award and recognition for all of their hard work and dedication. There are at least two on there who are on the current RIF list. What a loss if they don't get to come back next year.
Posted by: RIFfer | February 25, 2011 at 05:12 PM