SAN JOSE, CA – Every year, the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) nominates three teachers, one for every 5,000 teachers working in the region, to represent the county at the State Teacher of the Year competition.
These teachers must have at least eight years of experience in the classroom; provide multiple recommendations from colleagues, supervisors or parents; and complete an exhaustive reflection and portfolio process to be considered for this honor.
This year's nominees include:
Allison Pruitt, a K-5 Reading Intervention Specialist at Washington Elementary, San José Unified School District.
"My philosophy of teaching is really quite simple: Everyone can learn, it might not happen at the same time and in the same way, but it will occur with the right environment and with tailor made instruction," says Pruitt.
"There is nothing average about Allison Pruitt," says Maria Arias Evans, former principal of Washington Elementary School. "She has always been highly organized and so impeccably well prepared that I often used her classroom, student work, and teaching successes to exemplify outstanding instruction to my staff. My favorite Allison story takes place during the winter she spent studying the life cycle of salmon (without pay) so that she could teach 100 second graders about the biology and art of Chinook salmon."
If selected as California Teacher of the Year, Pruitt will be a champion for reforming attitudes with respect to public schools and teachers. "I think it is possible to shine a new light on public school education while celebrating the great work that is happening at both private and charter schools as well. I would ask educators to come together across political lines and speak as one voice for our nation's students," says Pruitt.
Shanna Urbancic, an English Language Arts and Social Studies teacher for sixth through eighth-grade students at Moreland Middle School in the Moreland School District.
"I am very committed to providing a better education for all students, especially students who are English Language Learners," says Urbancic. "I am dedicated to promoting awareness and raising educational standards for our students."
"Shanna consistently demonstrates a sincere desire to be a champion for all students, with a specific focus on the English Learner population," says Mary Kay Going, Superintendent of Moreland School District. "Her innovative, creative instructional methods bring forth strong communication skills in English for her students."
If selected as California Teacher of the Year, Urbancic will stand for social justice within education. "One part of our current climate is an awareness of people from different cultures and countries. We need to focus on embracing differences rather than rejecting them. We can focus on celebrating differences, bring more culturally relevant education into the classroom and teaching tolerance to the current generation in schools," says Urbancic.
Marie Mabanag, a technology and literacy coach for seventh and eighth-grade students at Christopher School in the Oak Grove School District.
"I want every student that comes into my room feeling that they are respected and validated for who they are," says Mabanag. "Creating that culture of respect and trust is the foundation of my classroom environment and one that I build upon throughout the school year."
"While her impact in the classroom is definitely seen, she makes an impact on a much larger scale," says Bill Abraham, Principal of Christopher Elementary School. "Marie impacts classrooms beyond her own, and she gives us hope by being a role model. Hope that this challenging work that we do on a daily basis can be done and done well for the betterment of our students, society, and ourselves."
If selected as California Teacher of the Year, Mabanag will concentrate on the need for educational awareness social media effects on society and individuals. "I believe the need for education on the proper use of social media and how to protect one-self on social media is a necessity needed by everyone starting with the students and parents in the school system," says Mabanag.
All three State Teacher of the Year Nominees will be recognized at the 48th Annual Teacher Recognition Celebration on September 14, hosted by the SCCOE.
The California Department of Education will make their final selection for State Teacher of the Year in October.
# # #
The Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) is a regional service agency that provides instructional and business services to the 31 school districts of Santa Clara County. The SCCOE serves students through special education programs, alternative schools, Head Start and State Preschool programs, migrant education, and Opportunity Youth Academy. The Office also provides curriculum support, staff development, and technology support and training directly to teachers and staff in schools countywide.
The annual Teacher Recognition Celebration is co-sponsored by Texas Instruments and the Santa Clara County Federal Credit Union, with support from Santa Clara County School Boards Association, Sixth District PTA, and other local businesses.