Devoted educators honored at Day of the Teacher celebration

Brenda Mueller, Ronald Lancia, Michelle Yepiz, Shirley Miranda, Mary Lou Baranowski, Supt. Marten and Simone Kincaid

San Diego Unified School District's 2015 Teachers of the Year, Michelle Yepiz from Zamorano Fine Arts Academy, Brenda Mueller from De Portola Middle School and Ronald Lancia from Mission Bay High School, were honored at the Day of the Teacher celebration on May 5.

“Teaching will always be a part of my heart, and as a former teacher, I know the commitment to your craft and the love of your students is what led you here today – and I thank you for that,” Superintendent Cindy Marten said. “Today’s recognition allows us an extraordinary opportunity to celebrate and recognize all of our teachers and dedication to their students, families, schools and each other.”

During the celebration, more than 140 Teachers of the Year from individual school sites along with district Teacher of the Year runners-up were honored.

In a message to all teachers, Board President Marne Foster expressed her appreciation for the district's educators.

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“I want to thank you for the work you do – day in, day out – to touch the minds, hearts and lives of our students and their families.” Foster said. “You have dedicated yourselves to making our students successful, caring, literate, contributing members of our community. With you, we are creating improved and broader measures of student achievement and ensuring that all students will graduate with the skills and motivation needed to succeed academically and socially.”

Yepiz, Mueller and Lancia, along with the three runners-up, will go on to compete in the county-wide competition for the San Diego county Teacher of the Year, part of the process leading to the national Teacher of the Year. This year’s runners-up are Mary Lou Baranowski from Lindbergh Schweitzer Elementary School, Simone Kincaid from Creative Performing and Media Arts Middle School and Shirley Miranda from Morse High School. The county Teacher of the Year ceremony will be held this fall and is organized by the San Diego County Office of Education.

The Day of the Teacher celebration is a traditional event on the Board of Education calendar in which all Board members and senior district staff are scheduled to attend. A pre-event reception was catered by culinary students from Scripps Ranch, Morse and Madison high schools, and music was provided by the Madison High School String Orchestra. New to this year’s event was a dance performance by students from Creative, Performing and Media Arts Middle School.

Sponsors of the event were San Diego Gas and Electric Co., AXA Advisors, California Coast Credit Union, California Schools VEBA, eLiveLife.com, Mission Federal Credit Union, NTA Life, the San Diego Education Association, the San Diego Education Fund, The Standard, the San Diego Padres and College, Career and Technical Education.

District Teachers of the Year announced for 2015

Michelle Yepiz from Zamorano Fine Arts Academy, Brenda Mueller from De Portola Middle School and Dr. Ronald Lancia from Mission Bay High School have been named San Diego Unified School District's Teachers of the Year for 2015.

These three devoted educators will be honored at the Day of the Teacher celebration scheduled for 4:15 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, at Madison High School. More than 140 Teachers of the Year from individual school sites, district Teacher of the Year runners-up, Future Educator Scholars and Mashin and STEM scholarship winners will also be recognized.

“Great teachers make a positive impact on students by consistently creating learning conditions that allow students to meet success,” said Superintendent Cindy Marten. “These three individuals are skillful and passionate professionals who are not only dedicated to improving their own skills but also collaborating with colleagues to create the best learning environment for students. With enthusiasm and purpose, they make a difference every day in the lives of their students and in their school community.”

Yepiz has been teaching at Zamorano Elementary for 11 years. Her teaching method is an active and engaging style, and her enthusiasm to teach helps encourage her students to learn. In addition to teaching, Yepiz organizes an after-school theater class to expose her students to the arts and coordinates an annual school-wide musical.

“I firmly believe in educating the whole child,” Yepiz wrote in her application essay. “My philosophy centers on the idea that the arts are an integral part of education. The arts must be integrated into the curriculum, not as an addition, but as an enhancement to learning.”

Mueller has been a teacher for more than 15 years, 11 of them teaching science at De Portola Middle. She is a Noyce Master Teaching Fellow at San Diego State University, constantly honing her craft as an educator. Mueller’s main focus in the classroom is to foster a safe environment in which students can participate in productive discussions and talk about their ideas.

“She is able to build strong relationships with her students while simultaneously commanding their best effort,” wrote De Portola Principal Ryan Brock. “Students flock to Mrs. Mueller and often speak of her friendly demeanor. Class observations show a high level of rigorous and demanding instruction. Brenda offers the best of both worlds (rigor and relationship), which makes for an incredibly powerful educational environment.”

Lancia has been teaching for 16 years, 11 of which have been at Mission Bay High teaching an array of classes in language arts, film, yearbook and AVID. He treats his student as individuals, and seeks to bring them together in collaboration.

He also developed a program called ACES, or the After-school Center for Excellence and Support, which offers students academic support across curriculum. For Lancia, the program represents four distinct areas of personal commitment.

“Hearts represents the importance of mentorship and service,” Lancia wrote in his application essay. “Clubs represents the club/community effect I deeply value. Diamonds signifies a balanced approach to academics, a notion I’ve appreciated since studying multiple intelligences. And finally, spades represents digging deeper one-on-one and building relationships.”

Yepiz, Mueller and Lancia will go on to the county-wide competition along with the three runners-up for the district’s Teacher of the Year. This year’s runners-up are Mary Lou Baranowski from Lindbergh Schweitzer Elementary School, Simone Kincaid from Creative Performing and Media Arts Middle School and Shirley Miranda from Morse High School.

Every year, one teacher at each level – elementary, middle and high school – is selected as District Teacher of the Year along with a runner-up at each level. Nominees are first selected by their school sites, and then have the option to go through the application process, which includes writing essays, an interview and a classroom observation.

For more information about San Diego Unified’s Teacher of the Year program, contact Jennifer Rodriguez at jcornelius@sandi.net.

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Educators from Dingeman, Wilson, Crawford are SD Unified 'Teachers of the Year' 2014

Innovative educators from Dingeman Elementary, Wilson Middle and Crawford High schools have been named San Diego Unified School District 2014 Teachers of the Year.

Sara Church

Khamphet Pease

Ken Herschman

Sara Church, a third-grade teacher at Dingeman Elementary School in Scripps Ranch; Khamphet Pease, a technology teacher at Wilson Middle School in City Heights; and Ken Herschman, a math teacher at Crawford High, are the educators who will be honored at the district¹s Day of the Teacher celebration, scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, at Lewis Middle School, 5170 Greenbrier Ave. (92120) in Allied Gardens. The celebration is free and open to the public.

“The dedication of all our teachers to teach, to engage, to inspire and to care about our students amazes me,” said Supt. Cindy Marten. “Our three Teachers of the Year exemplify the remarkable work being done every day in classrooms across the district. I am proud to work with such committed individuals who have dedicated their professional lives to doing what’s best for children.”

Runners up for this year's honors are: Margarita Idos, grade one, Zamorano Fine Arts Academy; Dennis Gildehaus, grades 6 and 8, physical education, Pacific Beach Middle School; and Jaimee Rojas, grade 9, humanities, e3 Civic High. In addition to the winners and runners-up, Teachers of the Year from each school in the district are also scheduled to appear and be recognized by the Board of Education.

Sponsors of the event are the San Diego Padres Baseball Club, San Diego Gas and Electric Co., The Standard, California Schools VEBA, Mission Federal Credit Union, California Coast Credit Union, eLiveLife.com, San Diego Education Association, and ProFlowers.

Teacher of the Year candidates go through a rigorous selection process, first being selected by the staff members at their school, then a panel including former teachers of the year. San Diego Unified¹s Teachers of the Year and runners-up are eligible to apply for San Diego county Teacher of the Year, part of the process leading to the national Teacher of the Year. The county Teacher of the Year ceremony will be held this fall and is organized by the San Diego County Office of Education.

The Day of the Teacher celebration is a traditional event on the Board of Education calendar. All Board members and senior district staff are scheduled to attend. A pre-meeting reception is catered by students from culinary-arts classes in the College Career and Technical Education program. Music is provided by the Lewis Middle School Jazz Band.

Find out more about the program by visiting its web page at http://www.sandi.net/toy.

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• Ashford University in partnership with the San Diego County Office of Education presents NBC 7 San Diego's Inspirational Teacher of the Month. Click here to nominate a teacher (PDF).

Art of Science Incubator taps three district staff members as Fellows

The Art of Science Learning Incubator for Innovation San Diego, the local branch of a National Science Foundation-funded initiative that uses the arts to spark creativity in science education and the development of an innovative 21st Century STEM workforce, has named three San Diego Unified staff members as Fellows.

Kathryn Smart of the Office of Accountability, and teachers Jennifer Pickering from Serra High and Laura Berlin of Clairemont High, will join ten other local teams to develop new water-related educational programs and projects that integrate arts-based approaches into STEM learning, products or services around water conservation in the San Diego region.

Funded by a $2.6 million National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, these nationwide think-and-do-tanks are designed to spark and strengthen the creativity skills and innovative capabilities of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learners and professionals through arts-based experiences. Chicago, and Worcester, Mass., also have similar programs.

The Balboa Park Cultural Partnership is hosting the year-long fellowship program brings together 100 participants diverse in expertise and life experience from the San Diego and Tijuana regions for an intensive course in innovation. Expert faculty provide incubator Fellows arts-based techniques in sculpture, drawing, dance, drama and music for generating, transforming, prototyping and communicating creative ideas. These experiences act as a catalyst for creativity in science education and foster the development of a skilled 21st Century STEM workforce.

With the focus of San Diego’s Incubator being the STEM-related civic challenge of regional water supply and demand, an interactive exhibit is planned for the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center as part of its offerings during the 2015 Balboa Park Centennial Celebration, followed by an exhibition in Chicago, Worcester, and other cities nationwide. For more information, visit http://www.artofsciencelearning.org/.

San Carlos adults have 40-year reunion with elementary teachers

It's been a couple of decades since Forward Elementary School closed in the San Carlos neighborhood, but not only is the school remembered but three special teachers are still in the minds and hearts of school alumni.

Now-retired teachers James Baker, Bill Knapp and Ralph Graves were honored by the group San Carlos Survivors for their inspiration to their students, now adults aged 40+.

"These teachers were just so fantastic that the group wanted to see if we could find them," said Tamra Mendoza-Mode, who had the teachers in sixth grade. The trio were found, but not in time for the group's annual picnic, so a special breakfast was held later in the year.
In addition to a story in the local online newspaper, the trio also guested on KUSI-TV's Good Morning San Diego (watch video via Facebook, where there are more photos and comments.)

"You always wonder what happened to these people," said Baker. "Well, today we'll be able to meet some of them. It's a unique and honorable experience."

Baker was a teacher from 1961 to 1989 at Forward and Spreckels elementary schools. Graves was a teacher from 1956-94 at Forward, Hardy and Gage, retiring from San Diego Unified in 1988. He taught six more years at a private school after leaving the district. Knapp taught at Sessions, Fletcher and Forward elementary schools from 1958-91.

Baker told Mendoza-Mode, the organizer of the event, that he also wondered if he "did any good."

"Mr. Baker, I am here to tell you: Yes, you did a lot of good. We all want to say, thank you!" said Mendoza-Mode.

PB Middle Vice Principal honored by International Baccalaureate group

Mitchell Booz, Vice Principal at Pacific Beach Middle IB World School was awarded the Teacher Training Award for California IB Middle Years Programme World Schools at the California Association of IB World School Spring Conference. As a winner of the award, Booz will receive an all-expense paid trip to International Baccalaureate World School Heads of School Training.



PB Middle is already home to the three California IB Exemplary MYP Educators (Dan Sloan: Mathematics; Carren Lindsay-Dial: Language and Literature; Karla Martinez; Physical and Health Education), the IB Outstanding MYP Student of the Year Award (Hannah Bloom, PB Middle/MBHS) and Teacher Training Award recipient Principal Ernie Remillard. To learn more about our award-winning program visit our webpage www.sandi.net/pbmiddle or "Like us" on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pbmiddle

The California Association of International Baccalaureate World Schools (CAWS), a vital leader in promoting access to international education within the State of California, is a financially responsible, passionate, innovative association that proactively and effectively serves prospective and member schools. Visit the association's website for more information.

Teachers honored from Mission Bay and Patrick Henry high schools, Innovation Middle School

The California League of Schools Region 9 has honored San Diego Unified teachers from Innovation Middle School, Mission Bay and Patrick Henry high schools.

Chantel Welch of iMiddle is the California League of Middle Schools Educator of the Year for Region 9, which includes schools in San Diego and Imperial counties. Tracy Borg of Mission Bay High School, and Andrew Myette of Patrick Henry High School were all finalists for the Region 9 Educator of the Year from the affiliated California League of High Schools.

Welch is an Educational Specialist at iMiddle in Clairemont. As the Educator of the Year from Region 9, she will compete against other regional winners from around California for statewide Educator of the Year, which will be announced March 1.

"Chantal represents the Innovation Middle School staff and San Diego Unified School District with unrivaled enthusiasm, compassion, and grace, consistently going well beyond her primary responsibilities as an Educational Specialist," said Principal Harlan Klein. "She supports student learning at all levels and provides quality leadership. She is a well-deserving recipient for this honor."

Borg is a Mission Bay High IB Psychology teacher, and Myette is an English Teacher at Patrick Henry High. Both were both named finalists for the California League of High Schools Region 9 Educator of the Year.

Board president, Encanto teacher honored for environmental work

School Board President Kevin Beiser and Encanto Elementary School teacher Lynn Howard have honored by the California State Board of Equalization as "Healthy Planet Local Heroes."

The award was given by Betty Yee, State Board of Equalization Member from District #1 to honor local leaders and influencers who have made an impact in creating healthy communities and a healthy planet. Among the other recipients of the award are Interim Mayor Todd Gloria, County Supervisor Dave Roberts, the Del Mar Fairgrounds, Whole Foods Markets, La Vita Compounding Pharmacy, Bastyr University, youth leader Sophia Holbrook, and Max Guinn, Founder of KidsEcoClub.

The awards were presented at a formal gala on Feb. 1 at the Rancho Valencia Resort which included presentations by Dr. Nancy Knowlton, Sant Chair for Marine Science at the Smisthonian's National Museum of Natural History, and Dr. Jeremy Jackson, Yale's Edward P. Bass Distinguished Visiting Environmental Scholar. Proceeds from the event benefitted KidsEcoClub, who partners with educators to bring science, environmental, and leadership programming to K-12 schools in the San Diego Unified School District and across the San Diego region.

Beiser was recognized for his environmental leadership while serving on the school board, most notably the banning of styrofoam lunch trays, the operating of school buses with biofuels, reducing energy use in school facilities, promoting school gardens and locally grown food in school cafeterias, and the passage of a resolution for the closure of the San Onofre nuclear reactors to remain until they are certified safe. The award also noted his "stalwart dedication to the safety and well-being of the students in the San Diego Unified School District," including his contributions to the enactment of the historic anti-bullying program and the expansion of anti-bulling programs.


Howard was recognized for her outstanding leadership, passion, and dedication in her service as a science teacher with the San Diego Unified School District. Howard's focus on global issues that deepen students' understanding of how to build a healthy ecosystem enhanced by biodiversity, and to finding solutions to climate change, have earned her this award. The state also recognized Howard's work with National Geographic in teaching about energy and participating on its Explorer expedition to study arctic bears, and for promoting team work in the learning setting to promote and strengthen multi-cultural interactions. Attendees at the gala took home "seed bombs" of California poppy and native wildflower seeds put together by Howard and her students.

Honor an Inspirational Teacher and Student this Month Program

Ashford University, in partnership with the San Diego County Office of Education, presents NBC 7 San Diego's Inspirational Student and Teacher of the Month.


Nominate an inspirational student (high school) or teacher (K-12) from your school who is an outstanding individual on his or her school campus and within their community.

Each month, NBC Education Reporter Rory Devine will award a selected student or teacher during a surprise recognition in their classroom. Devine will interview the selected student/teacher on-air as part of the recognition.

• Nominate a student
• Nominate a teacher

District educators shine at annual Salute to Teachers

Cox Communications, in cooperation with the San Diego Office of Education and Ashford University, hosted the 40th Annual San Diego County Teacher of the Year Awards on Oct. 5.

Among the honorees were our district 2013 Teachers of the Year and Runners-up along with two district teachers who received special recognition for their expertise in environmental education and science and technology.

Left to Right: Lara Dickens, Patrick Trotter, Kyra Phillips, Ken Hughes, Cindy Marten, Angela Wolde.

San Diego Unified had six outstanding candidates vying for the title of County Teacher of the Year. They included Kenneth Hughes from Lewis Middle, Jessica Graham from Kearny High Science Connections & Technology, Lauren Robinson-Hunt from CPMA, Amy Sanders from Nye Elementary, Angela Wolde from Euclid Elementary and David Weber from Preuss UCSD, who was named a finalist. Although none were selected County Teachers of the Year, their dedication and commitment to our students is immeasurable. Learn more about the teachers.

Two San Diego Unified teachers received special awards at the event. Lara Dickens teaches AP Environmental Science and Physics at Henry High School. She was named the Sycuan 2013 Environmental Educator. Last year, as part of her class, students performed an energy audit and initiated a plan with the district to reduce energy consumption on campus by removing excessive lighting and taking advantage of natural light.

As faculty advisor for the Henry High School Environmental Club, students focus on themes they feel strongly about such as the environmental benefits of being a vegetarian, recycling, litter removal and growing your own food. Dickens' goal is to provide opportunities for students to be "green leaders' and hopes her students realize they can make a difference, right now.

Patrick Trotter from Bethune K-8 was named the Procopio 2013 Science and Technology Educator. He teaches the Gateway to Technology program, a hands-on, project-based program, which covers various topics, including Design & Modeling, Automation &Robotics, Energy & the Environment and Flight& Space. Trotter's mission is to get his students hooked on engineering. He knows the knowledge and skills his students gain will create a strong foundation, and a career in the engineering field is a win for them and a win for the nation.

San Diego Unified students were spotlighted as three of the student entertainment acts during the event. The Mission Bay High School Preservationists, one of the nation's premier traditional youth jazz bands; Chamber Bravura, nationally ranked a cappella group comprised of middle school and high school students from Scripps Ranch, under the direction of Katherine Girvin from Marshall Middle School; and sisters and vocalists, Nicole and Natalie de Kozan, students at Marshall Middle School and Scripps Ranch High School respectively, all performed to the delight of the crowd.

Supt. Cindy Marten was on hand to join the celebration, which was co-hosted by long-time San Diego broadcast journalist Dennis Morgigno and Headline News anchor Kyra Phillips. Phillips is a childhood friend of Supt. Marten.

The annual event is dedicated to the 26,000 teachers in San Diego County who not only educate, but also inspire and motivate their students every day.

Repeats of the show are being aired on CoxSan Diego Channel 4 and iTV Channel 16. Air times are listed on http://www.4sd.com/salute-to-teachers.html.

San Diego County “A Salute to Teachers” awards gala slated for Saturday

The San Diego County Teacher of the Year awards will be held Saturday, Oct. 5, at the annual “A Salute to Teachers” event, sponsored by Cox Communications and the San Diego County Office of Education. The ceremony begins at 7 p.m. at the Balboa Theater in downtown San Diego and will also be televised live on Cox San Diego Channel 4.

This year’s event will highlight several district teachers and students. San Diego Unified students will be performing in three of the entertainment acts, including the Mission Bay High School Preservationists, one of the nation's premier traditional youth jazz bands; Chamber Bravura, nationally ranked a cappella group comprised of middle school and high school students from Scripps Ranch, under the direction of Katherine Girvin from Marshall Middle School; and sisters and vocalists, Nicole and Natalie de Kozan, students at Marshall Middle School and Scripps Ranch High School respectively.

In addition to these outstanding students, two San Diego Unified teachers will be receiving special awards: Lara Dickens from Henry High School has been named the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation 2013 Environmental Educator, and Patrick Trotter from Bethune K-8 has been named the Procopio 2013 Science and Technology Educator. A short video about each of the teachers will be shown at the ceremony and they will receive their award from the corresponding sponsor on stage.

Of course the culmination of the evening will be the announcement of the 2013-14 County Teachers of the Year. San Diego Unified has six outstanding candidates vying for the title of County Teacher of the Year. They include Kenneth Hughes from Lewis Middle, Jessica Graham from Kearny High Science Connections & Technology, Lauren Robinson-Hunt from CPMA, Amy Sanders from Nye Elementary, David Weber from Preuss UCSD and Angela Wolde from Euclid Elementary. Learn more about the teachers.

Sherman videos score at California Student Media Festival

Two videos from Sherman Academy elementary school in Sherman Heights have won awards from the California Student Media Festival.

The videos, Cyberbullying is Bullying and Don't Judge a Zombie by its Cover were preduced by fifth graders during Manolito De los Reyes' "Literacy through Technology" class.

"We focus on literacy skills such as reading, writing and word study, integrating technology through all of the work," said Reyes. "Unlike a traditional computer lab or technololgy class, the focus is not on the technology and tools, but rather the focus is on the literacy skills."

To complete their projects, students learn the technology, he added.

Don't Judge a Zombie by its Cover, was a result of a compromise. One group of students wanted to focus on the importance of not judging others by their appearance. The remaining kids in the group wanted to create a story involving the hot topic of zombies! The ideas were combined and the result was a fresh and funny take on the lesson of not judging a book by it's cover. This video won the California Student Media Festival Award for Best Directing (Elementary).


In Cyberbullying is Bullying, students decided to present the most interesting facts they discovered about cyberbullying through in a public service announcement format. This video won the California Student Media Festival Award for Best Thematic Video (Elementary).

The awards show can be watched online. For more information on the program, contact De los Reyes at mdelosreyes@sandi.net.

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Longfellow History Teacher Goes Back in Time on the East Coast

Longfellow Middle School History teacher Kimberly de Berzunza spent three weeks this Summer living and breathing part of her U.S. History curriculum on the steamy east coast.

De Berzunza was one of 80 teachers selected from around the nation to spend a week in Old Deerfield, Massachusetts, studying the 1704 French and Indian Raid on the frontier outpost village in a workshop entitled “Living on the Edge of Empire.” Hosted by the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association as one of 21 competitive National Endowment for the Humanities Landmarks of American History and Culture Workshops, de Berzunza learned first-hand about the violent capture of 112 English colonists, before creating a lesson plan using a variety of primary sources for students to consider different perspectives on the event.

De Berzunza also visited President Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, outside Charlottesville, Virginia, as one of 13 Barringer Research Fellows selected from around the nation and Great Britain to research and write curriculum related to Jefferson. De Berzunza spent two weeks at Monticello and the nearby Jefferson Library studying Jefferson’s attitudes and policies toward American Indians, and writing three lesson plans for the Monticello Classroom website.

Students were required to analyze historical primary and secondary sources to consider how Jefferson’s attitudes and philosophy influenced his policies.
While in the area, de Berzunza also stopped in at the Shenandoah National Forest, the University of Virginia’s Special Collections Library, the homes of presidents James Monroe and James Madison and Chief Justice John Marshall, and the White House of the Confederacy in Richmond, Virginia.
De Berzunza looks forward to bringing these new experiences and understandings to her Longfellow students in meaningful and exciting ways. de Berzunza may be reached at kdeberzunza@sandi.net.

Farb Middle School teacher receives AVID Award

Farb Middle School's AVID Coordinator, Donna Rankin, has been honored by the AVID organization, receiving $10,000 to help the AVID program at her school.

Donna Rankin

Rankin was one of five teachers in California to receive the organization's AVID Teacher Advocacy Awards.

"It is such an honor to receive this award, which will allow more students in our school to benefit from AVID strategies and be able to learn the skills that will prepare them for college and their careers," said Rankin. "I want to help students develop the leadership skills, character strengths, and global awareness embedded in the AVID philosophy to take with them in their journey through life.”

Each educator will receive $10,000 to enhance AVID implementation at their school through conference attendance, classroom equipment and materials (including technology and books), professional development and academic coaching.

An anonymous donor generously provided funds to AVID Center to create an award that would give AVID educators in California additional resources to enhance their work with their students. The AVID Teacher Advocacy Award was developed to support California AVID Elective teachers and site team teachers; improve AVID teaching; retain AVID teachers; share best practices and professional learning; and further the AVID mission. The award was presented to five AVID educators in Sacramento, CA, at the General Session of AVID’s Summer Institute on July 9, 2013.

“These teachers exemplify AVID’s spirit and have become great advocates for college readiness for all on their campuses,” said AVID Executive Director Jim Nelson. “We hope this award allows them to continue to help more students achieve their dream of college success.”

AVID began in 1980 by Mary Catherine Swanson, then-head of the English department at San Diego's Clairemont High School. The federal courts issued an order to desegregate the city's schools, bringing large numbers of inner city students to suburban schools. While applauding the decision, Swanson wondered how these underserved students would survive at academically acclaimed Clairemont High.
It has evolved into a non-profit, proven college readiness system that closes the achievement gap.

Today, AVID is implemented in more than 4,900 schools in 45 states and 16 countries/ territories. AVID impacts more than 700,000 students in grades K-12, as well as students in 28 postsecondary institutions. The AVID College Readiness System transforms a school’s academic culture to increase the number of students who enroll in four-year colleges and succeed in higher education and training.

California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance honors district staff, programs

The team from Pacific Beach Middle School.

The San Diego branch of the California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance recently recognized outstanding health, physical education, recreation and dance teachers and programs in the county at its annual awards banquet at Paradise Point Resort.

Several district staff and programs were honored, including:

Shanna Jennings, Silver Gate Elementary - Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year
Pacific Beach Middle School - Secondary Physical Education Program of the Year
Cesar Santos, Mann Middle School - Outstanding New Physical Education Professional
Brenna Baringer, Department of Physical Education, Health and Athletics - Outstanding Service to the Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (HPERD) Profession
Mary Lou Baranowski, Lindbergh Schweitzer Elementary - American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAPHERD) Southwest District Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year

Baranowski was also one of six finalists for the National Association for Sport and Physical Education Teacher of the Year award.

In addition, those in attendance celebrated the retirement of Adapted Physical Education teacher Harry Smith, who has dedicated more than 25 years to education.

The California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance is dedicated to promoting healthful lifestyles through quality education and programs. To nominate a local exemplary HPERD teacher or program in 2013-14, visit www.sdcoe.net/lret/hpe or contact Paige Metz at pmetz@sdcoe.net.

For more information on the district’s Health and Physical Education programs, contact Brenna Baringer at bbaringer@sandi.net.

Scripps Ranch High senior, teacher receive Gold Medallion awards

Kennedy Irwin

Scripps Ranch High School senior Kennedy Irwin earned Student of the Year honors and teacher Kimberly Coelho was named Educator of the Year at this year’s Gold Medallion Awards hosted by the San Diego County chapter of the California Restaurant Association.

The Gold Medallion Awards recognize the achievements of both restaurant and service provider members whose commitment to excellence makes a significant difference in the industry and communities they serve.

Irwin exemplifies each of the qualities the industry looked for in their student of the year: leadership, exemplary citizenship, academic excellence and a desire to work in the hospitality industry. She moved to San Diego from Virginia her senior year, choosing to enroll at Scripps Ranch High specifically for the Culinary Arts & Management class. She was a member of the student Pro Start Culinary team for 2013 and also competed in the Teen Iron Chef competition in February 2013.

“The culinary arts and management class has not only trained me in a new skill,” Kennedy said, “but has changed my outlook on food and the food industry in general.”

That new outlook on the industry has prompted her to enroll in the Culinary Institute of America in hopes of one day working as a pastry chef.

Irwin’s Culinary Arts & Management teacher Kimberly Coelho was also honored at the event as Educator of the Year.

Kimberly Coelho

Coelho leads a program at Scripps Ranch High that continues to produce college-bound students, future industry leaders and has consistently finished at the top at the state ProStart competition. The program is constantly improving and impressing as a result of her expertise and efforts.

“A key ingredient of the program’s success is the classroom instructor,” said Angela Croce, program manager for the district’s College, Career and Technical Education Culinary Arts program. “Kimberly is a great role model for students and fellow teachers. She is willing to go above and beyond, come in on weekends and work extra hours to ensure the students reach their full potential.”

As part of Coelho’s award, she traveled to Chicago to meet with fellow educators of the year from various states for professional development and attended the National Restaurant Association trade show, events and mixers hosted by the group’s Educational Foundation.

Each year, the San Diego County chapter of the California Restaurant Association hosts the Gold Medallion Awards. More than 1,200 people attended the gala and auction, raising more than $160,000, a portion of which will be donated to pay for food service equipment, supplies and mentoring for the Culinary Arts programs at Morse, San Diego, Mira Mesa, Scripps Ranch, Madison and Garfield high schools.

District honors 2012-13 retirees, Supt. Bill Kowba with special reception

It was a bittersweet afternoon at the Eugene Brucker Education Center courtyard.

Employees, family members and honorees gathered to celebrate the careers of the nearly 350 employees that are retiring from San Diego Unified this year -- and helped generations of San Diegans grow up. The reception also included a special tribute to Superintendent Bill Kowba, who is retiring after seven years with the district.

Supt. Kowba started the festivities Thursday, June 13, by thanking the retirees for their service.

“All of you proud professionals who are moving on – teachers, support staff, administrators  -- have made immeasurable contributions, and have given the priceless gift of time and talent to help our students achieve their best,” said Superintendent Kowba. “The success of our students is truly a reflection of your hard work and dedication. You have helped make San Diego a great place to work and learn.” 

Retiring Supt. Kowba poses with some of the
other 2013 retirees.

Each retiree had the opportunity to introduce themselves, say how many years they had been with the district and share details of their journey. Some have served the district for just a few years, others more than 30. One retiree had been with the district for 42 years. Collectively, this year’s retirees have more than 8,000 years of experience and service.

Following the procession of retirees, Board President Dr. John Lee Evans began the special tribute to Superintendent Kowba by presenting him with a plaque on behalf of the Board of Education. Union and elected officials were also on-hand to say thank you and offer well-wishes to Supt. Kowba.

Speakers included incoming Superintendent Cindy Marten; San Diego Education Association President Bill Freeman; California School Employees Association local chapter President Sylvia Alvarez; San Diego Unified Police Officers Association President Jesus Montana; Lori Brown and Laura Hempton from the office of California Senator Joel Anderson; and Ralph Dimarucut from the office of California Senator Marty Block.

The final speaker of the night was Supt. Kowba, who thanked his colleagues and fellow retirees for the true team effort in making the district a great place for kids.

“There is something that we should be so proud of. We never lost our sense of purpose, our devotion to the core mission of educating the children of San Diego,” Kowba said. "I’m very proud and humbled that all of you have accomplished this, despite navigating in such an austere and demanding environment.

“Thank you all for what you’ve done to help me and help this district. Best of luck to all the retirees.”

The event was sponsored in part by Cox Communications.