November 26, 2003
State Schools Chief O'Connell Announces
Five California Teachers of the Year 2004
SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today named five extraordinary educators as California's Teachers of the Year for 2004. One of the five will go on to represent California in consideration for the National Teacher of the Year honor.
Arthur Coleman, Jr. of Lodi teaches at Hamilton Middle School in the Stockton Unified School District, San Joaquin County. Dawn Imamoto of Davis teaches at Bryte Elementary School in the Washington Unified School District, Yolo County. Paul Lewanski of Santa Ana teaches at Tustin High School in the Tustin Unified School District, Orange County. Paul McLaughlin of Chino Hills teaches at Suzanne Middle School in the Walnut Valley Unified School District, Los Angeles County. Zenaida Rosario of San Ysidro teaches at La Mirada Elementary in the San Ysidro School District, San Diego County. Biographies of the awardees are attached.
"I chose these five teachers because they are so devoted to the pursuit of helping children get a superb education that they often sacrifice their personal time to help them," said O'Connell. "Their passion for teaching motivates students to learn, and the proof is improved achievement. Their commitment to quality education, rapport with students, and innovative teaching methods make them wonderful role models not only for children, but also for other educators."
O'Connell also is nominating one of the five, Paul Lewanski, to represent California in the National Teacher of the Year program. The President of the United States will announce the selection in the spring of 2004.
The 31-year old California Teachers of the Year program is open to public and private school educators who teach pre-kindergarten through grade twelve. County offices of education traditionally nominate winners of their regional Teacher of the Year competition. A selection committee reviews the candidates' applications and conducts site visits to evaluate the teachers' rapport with students, classroom environment, presentation skills, use of appropriate teaching methods, their ability to adjust to last minute changes, among other criteria. O'Connell then selects the awardees.
"The selection of these five teachers among a field of 60 very qualified applicants was difficult," said O'Connell. "While I'm proud of the hard work of all of the more than 307,000 teachers in California, I am particularly drawn to these finalists because of their exceptional teaching methods and their ability to affect children's lives so positively through education."
O'Connell will recognize the five Teachers of the Year at a dinner in their honor in Sacramento next January. The State Board of Education also will recognize them at its January meeting.
For more information about the California Teachers of the Year program, please visit California Teachers of the Year.
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Attachment
California Teachers of the Year 2004
Paul Lewanski
Chemistry Teacher
Tustin High School, Tustin Unified School District
California Nominee for National Teacher of the Year
Paul Lewanski of Santa Ana earned a bachelor's degree in the biological sciences and both a master's and doctoral degree in computer education from the United States International University (USIU), San Diego, in addition to his teaching credential from California State University, Fullerton. Besides teaching chemistry for the past four years at Tustin High School, Lewanski also worked as an adjunct professor at USIU and was the science department chair in the ABC Unified School District. In his 19-year career as an educator, he has accumulated numerous honors, including three local teacher-of-the-year awards and teacher of the month. He is a member of an honor society and is listed in the Who's Who Among America's Teachers.
Lewanski's unique method of integrating teaching with life's lessons is evident from a statement in his application for one of the awards in which he wrote: "Educators, for example, can find the common ground that allows students to see how engineering is reflected in art and how art is reflected in the engineering design of cars and buildings thus enhancing student achievement in science, math, and art. ... Teachers must help students to see the interconnectedness of what they are learning in order to be able to anticipate the needs of the future."
Paul Lewanski may be reached at Tustin High School, 1171 El Camino Real, Tustin, CA 92780 at 714-730-7422.
Arthur Coleman, Jr.
Music Teacher
Hamilton Middle School, Stockton Unified School District
Arthur Coleman, Jr. of Lodi earned teaching credentials in both special education and music. Besides being the band director at Hamilton Middle School for the past 12 years, he has participated and initiated several music and dance programs. During his 22 years as an educator, Coleman has accumulated numerous honors including three local teacher-of-the-year awards, numerous education-related trophies, and is an inductee at the Black Athletic Hall of Fame.
Coleman's passion for teaching is evident from a statement in his application for one of the awards in which he wrote: "Learning is limitless. ... The trick is getting the student to believe this. This is not something you can tell them. It is something they must experience. First, you tease them with it. Then you offer this huge platter of opportunity. And watch them feast."
Arthur Coleman, Jr. may be reached at Hamilton Middle School, 2245 E. 11th St., Stockton, CA 95206, at 209-933-7395, x-1626
Dawn Imamoto
Second Grade Teacher
Bryte Elementary School, Washington Unified School District
Dawn Imamoto of Davis earned a bachelor's degree in child development from California State University, Fullerton. She received her multiple subject teaching credential from the University of California, Davis. Besides teaching reading, writing, and math at Bryte Elementary, Imamoto continues to participate in several writing projects for students. In her nine years as an educator, she has received several honors including a literacy award and teacher-of-the-month recognition.
Imamoto's inspiration for teaching came one day as she volunteered to work with a special education class: "I remembered how hard my students had to work just to roll a ball down the bowling alley. As I motivated these kids, I could see a change in their attitude. I felt that my presence made a difference. The smiles on their faces always filled me with joy as they accomplished their goals. It was then that I knew that I wanted to be a teacher and work with children."
Dawn Imamoto may be reached at Bryte Elementary School, 637 Todhunter Ave., West Sacramento, CA 95605, at 916-375-7660.
Paul McLaughlin
Math Teacher
Suzanne Middle School, Walnut Valley Unified School District
Paul McLaughlin of Chino Hills earned a master's degree in school administration from California State University, Los Angeles. He earned his teaching credential from Mount Saint Mary's College in Los Angeles. Besides teaching at Suzanne Middle School for the past 10 years, he also has taught at four other schools in the Los Angeles area as a teacher, dean, counselor, and principal. In his 25 years as an educator, McLaughlin has won numerous honors including local teacher of the year, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification, and several Yearbook Journalism First Place Awards from the Columbia University Scholastic Press Association.
McLaughlin's dedication to education is evident from a statement in his application for one of the awards in which he wrote: "I still hold to the belief that teachers are born, not made. ... I am fortunate to see many of my former students in all walks of life. To be remembered as having made an impact in their lives is my greatest achievement."
Paul McLaughlin may be reached at Suzanne Middle School, 525 Suzanne Rd., Walnut, CA 91789, at 909-594-1657.
Zenaida Rosario
Third Grade Teacher
La Mirada Elementary, San Ysidro School District
Zenaida Rosario of San Ysidro earned a master's degree in educational administration and supervision from San Diego State University. Besides teaching third grade for the past five years at La Mirada Elementary, Rosario also was a bilingual teacher at other schools in southern California. In her 21-year career as an educator, Rosario has won numerous honors including local teacher-of-the-year awards, perfect classroom attendance for the past five years, and an award for leadership.
Rosario's commitment to education is evident in her application for one of the awards in which she wrote: "My students believe in themselves because I instill in them their capability of achieving anything they set their minds to. [T]his they know because I have told them that they can (and) that they are never to give up on achieving their dreams. I give all of my strength to provide them the best learning experience and hope that they take these skills along the years to reach their goals."
Zenaida Rosario may be reached at La Mirada Elementary, 222 Avenida de la Madrid, San Ysidro, CA 92173, 619-428-4424.
