O’Connell also nominates Lynwood teacher for National Teacher of the Year

SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell today named five remarkable educators as California Teachers of the Year for 2007. Of these five, O’Connell nominated one to compete for the National Teacher of the Year honor. For biographies of the teachers, please visit Honorees 2007 - California Teachers of the Year

Dawna Countryman of Saugus teaches fifth grade at Tesoro del Valle Elementary School in Saugus Union School District in Valencia. Rick LeVan of Redlands teaches Pre-Algebra and Life Science at Canyon Middle School in Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District in Yucaipa. Charles Reynes teaches science to fourth and fifth graders at five elementary schools in the Castro Valley Unified School District. Helen Papadopoulos of Diamond Bar teaches Algebra at Suzanne Middle School in Walnut Valley Unified School District. Alan Sitomer of Beverly Hills teaches English, AVID, and Creative Writing at Lynwood High School in the Lynwood Unified School District.

"It is never easy to choose only five individuals from the vast number of capable, committed educators in California, but these extraordinary teachers symbolize what teaching can be and must be in order for all children to succeed," O’Connell said.

"These multi-faceted educators empower and inspire their students to overcome challenges and defeatist attitudes resulting in higher achievement levels and a renewed appreciation for learning."

O’Connell is nominating Sitomer to represent California in the National Teacher of the Year competition because of his unique approach to teaching reading and writing in high school. He implemented an innovative program using hip-hop to engage students’ interest and direct it to "classic" literature based on standards. The winner will be selected in the spring by a panel convened by the Council of Chief State School Officers. All candidates for the National Teacher of the Year program will be honored at a White House ceremony.

"Alan Sitomer’s belief that he can make a difference was quite evident in his application," added O’Connell. "In his class he hangs a poster class that reads, ‘Attitude equals altitude.’  He said, ‘I refuse to believe that the literacy levels of inner-city teens can’t be raised. We must never forget how teachers can make a world of difference in the lives of other human beings.’"

The California Teachers of the Year program began in 1972 to pay tribute to the state's educators, the growing complexity of challenges that confront California's schools, and the need to promote collaboration among teachers to meet those challenges.

California continues to face a critical teacher shortage. The program plays a pivotal role in drawing new people into the field. The Superintendent selects five people each year who will best represent California's teachers and symbolize the profession's contributions to quality education by focusing public attention on noteworthy accomplishments of teachers.

The competition is open to educators who teach pre-kindergarten through grade twelve. County offices of education nominate winners of their regional Teacher of the Year competition.  A state selection committee reviews the candidates' applications and conducts site visits to evaluate the teachers' rapport with students, classroom environment, presentation skills, use of teaching methods, among other criteria. Following interviews held in Sacramento, the State Superintendent then selects the awardees. They will be honored at a dinner January 8, 2007 in Sacramento made possible by donations from corporate sponsors. Ten Semi-finalists will also be honored.