Region 1
Arlie Haun
Special Education Department Chair
Healdsburg Junior High School

Arlie Haun is a 20-year educator who puts her heart and soul into her students and her school. As Special Education Department Chair, Arlie creates class schedules for all students with individualized education plans (IEPs), checks in daily with all students on campus who have IEPs, and meets with all general education teachers to review the requirements for each mainstreamed and full-inclusion student. She developed a skills class, now taught by all special education teachers, that provides students with the assistance and time to complete assignments and teaches them about time management, organization, test taking and basic skills. The project-based learning (PBL) model is taught by Arlie to all special education and new teachers. As a result of her guidance, PBL is now the foundation for all core curricula and for developing social skills in the seventh- grade program. Arlie is the assistant student activities director and volunteer manager for the basketball and soccer programs; she serves on the school site council, student study team and district curriculum council. For new teachers, Arlie is a mentor and anchor. For her students, she is a mother hen who lovingly harasses them into meeting their responsibilities and deadlines. For her school, she is a champion for all students with special needs.

Region 2
Julie Reaves
Sixth-Grade Core Teacher
Sequoia Middle School

A truly gifted educator, Julie Reaves exemplifies all that is right with education. She devotes immense time and effort not only to her students and her core classes, but to improving the achievement and engagement of students school-wide. Julie adapted the philosophy of continuous improvement to the middle school environment by authoring the Keys to Success student handbook, which has helped all sixth-grade students establish a game plan for meeting academic goals since 2001. Students often continue using their handbooks in later grades to prepare for standardized tests. Julie presented a session on the Keys to Success at a recent CLMS conference, and the three administrators present now utilize the handbook at their sites. On the cutting edge of teaching with technology, she is part of a 21-member team piloting interactive learning in all subject areas through guided lessons, hands-on exploration, and real-world connections. With her interdisciplinary team, Julie is currently developing a new learning community that incorporates rigorous standards, team teaching and creative use of time and resources to meet students at their own levels. For example, her students recently experienced a "learning luau." As the advisor for the Safe School Ambassadors program, she mentors student leaders so they may foster a supportive school culture through bullying prevention and positive social action.

2007 STATE EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR

Region 3
Davis Richmond
Math Department Chair
Douglass Middle School

According to his principal, Davis Richmond is "an exceptional leader, incredible practitioner of middle school math, and a very special role model for students and staff." An 18-year educator, Davis greets students at the door with a handshake, smile and warm-up quiz. Acting in the role of a coach, he has students take turns leading the warm-up quiz review on the overhead before the class begins work on math tasks that require teamwork to build trust, respect, hope and perseverance. Math vocabulary lessons prepare students to defend their solutions to their teacher and peers using the appropriate terminology. As math department chair, Davis has created pre-algebra and algebra curriculum to address state standards and the CST tests, as the district adopted a math textbook that is not aligned to standards. He holds daily department meetings in his classroom to support that day's instruction. The results show in testing: the math department exceeded state goals for all subgroups. The district's Year One BTSA teachers watch videos of Davis modeling the standards for the teaching profession; district administrators watch videos of him teaching to learn how to document a teacher observation. He is a 15-year mentor teacher and a 10-year team leader; he serves on the site leadership team and district math articulation team.

Region 4
Meighen Eberly
English Department Chair
Creekside Middle School

Passion, brilliance and heart describe Meighen Eberly. Magical moments are experienced in her English/social studies core classes. Whether she is leading a visualization strategy of crossing the Wild West, facilitating timeline murals or encouraging students to create colonial magazines, differentiated and challenging learning is occurring and students love being in her class. Meighen has developed an exemplary video journalism class, served as yearbook advisor, directed drama productions, and completed courses to qualify to teach Spanish. Currently she sponsors the high school students who teach American Sign Language to students at her site. Each summer, she produces a two-week transitional program for incoming sixth-grade students; she also spends many hours providing interventions for students in writing workshops, the homework club and the Saturday academy. As the English department chair, Meighen guides her eighth-grade team in designing interdisciplinary, standards-based units and adapting curriculum and instruction to meet student needs. Methodologies are research based; formative assessments and state and district testing results inform instruction. As a district instructional leader, she facilitates weekly staff collaboration and spearheads the district's middle school literacy project. She is a BTSA mentor, leads peer modeling and coaching, and has served as a master teacher.

Region 5
Scott McGhee
Math Teacher
Graham Middle School

Scott McGhee teaches math with enthusiasm and passion. His instruction is clear, challenging and highly interactive. Humor is a prominent professional tool; he has been known to hold a lifesaving ring while on crossing-guard duty. A lifelong learner with a passion for pedagogy, Scott embeds research-based strategies and practices into his instruction to optimize the learning experience for every student, resulting in a highly effective program. Scott connects well with young adolescents. Struggling students feel comfortable coming to him for help. At break and lunch, students cluster in his classroom to socialize in a welcoming and happy place. He coaches soccer and track and field with the after-school sports program, in addition to coaching AYSO soccer for the community. At many school field trips and school functions, Scott is there serving as a chaperone. The zero-period video production class he co-designed and implemented this year has been so successful that it will be a year-long elective next year. Scott has long been a leader on school math and technology committees; recently his broad knowledge of education issues and trends benefited his fellow master schedule committee members as they revised the schedule to be more responsive to student needs. He is highly regarded by students, staff, parents and the broader community.

Region 6
Becky Ray
Math/Science/Reading Teacher
Empire Community School

Becky Ray has been teaching middle school students in an alternative education setting for 19 years. Dedicated to her students, she ensures their school experiences are positive, motivational and successful. In the words of one student, "Before I came to this school, I was just a typical kid going down the wrong road. Then I met Mrs. Ray and she helped me realize that I can do something with my life. If it wasn't for the teachers in this school, I would either be in juvenile hall or dead." Becky's effectiveness as a classroom teacher is exemplified by the way in which her compassion shapes her instructional approach to working with a diverse population of at-risk students. Her mission is to provide a learning environment that is characterized by inclusion, positive self-esteem, behavior modification and the building of respect for self and others. Coupled with a strong academic program, this instructional system results in many of her students progressing back into regular education. "Mrs. Ray's faith in me gives me faith in myself," said another student. Becky has served on various curriculum committees for 15 years; she has been a mentor teacher for three years and the treasurer of her local teacher's association for the past eight years.

Region 7
Janine Malone
Math Department Chair
El Capitan Middle School

Janine Malone spends many evenings and weekends evaluating math assessments equation-by-equation so she can address the specific needs of each of her students. Her professional demeanor is characterized by her devotion to students, passion for mathematics, and belief that all students can succeed. She teaches all levels of mathematics and recently implemented the first geometry class at her school, resulting in the top CST math scores in the district. Janine's lessons are standards based, hands on and technology integrated. Group projects and peer mentoring are prominent. For six years, she has provided struggling students with an after-school math tutorial. A lifelong learner, she has participated in trainings for College Preparatory Mathematics (CPM) Algebra, CPM Geometry, AB 466, The Math Institute, and Literacy Across the Curriculum so her students can acquire math literacy as well as math concepts. As department chair, Janine has led her colleagues in the creation, implementation and revision of standards-based sprint tests to guide instruction and re-teaching of math concepts. She assists school administrators with placing incoming math students in the appropriate classes and coordinating the math component of the master schedule. She serves on the site leadership team, is helping rewrite the Single Plan for Student Achievement, is a master and mentor teacher, and provides staff development district-wide.

Region 8
Richard Lightfoot
Sixth-Grade Core Teacher
David Starr Jordan Middle School

An 18-year veteran teacher, Richard Lightfoot is a truly gifted educator. His English and social science students are so excited about what they are learning in his classroom, they can't wait to share the latest developments with other staff members on campus. Any given day might find them sitting on the floor to experience Daoism, completing an academic review game designed by Richard in the computer lab, or cleaning up a local park as a service learning project. His unique assignments engage the imagination of his students and motivate them to excel beyond their initial expectations. A challenging academic environment characterizes Richard's classroom as well. Each week, his students write a five-paragraph essay based on a rubric; they consistently outscore other classes on district finals and state standardized tests. As the yearbook editor, he led the transition to a digital middle school yearbook. As the school newspaper publisher, he leads students in producing a consistently high quality publication. Richard serves on the district social science committee, helping to select textbooks and write the district social science final test. Recently, as part of a training exercise, his principal and assistant principal were asked to select the five teachers they would choose to start a new school. Richard was the number one choice on both lists.

Region 9
Craig Johnson
Math/Technology Teacher
Gaspar de Portola Middle School

Craig Johnson has a quiet energy about him that tells you he is here to help his students learn to love and appreciate mathematics. Students eagerly respond to his questions and gentle prodding; even wrong answers are valued as they lead toward a better understanding for all. His high-tech classroom is equipped with a SMART Board connected to his computer for engaging, direct instruction and modeling; shapes are made using the Geosketch Pad. In this 21st century environment, incorporating real-world problems has become second nature for Craig and his students. Outside of his school day, Craig serves as advisor for the robotics club, leads a homework room for the 6-to-6 program, laces up his running shoes to coach Lacrosse practice for more than 50 middle school students, and donates countless hours to maintaining the school's two computer labs. As a school leader, Craig trains staff in new technology, such as Zangle classroom management software, and serves on the school governance team, school site council, and PTA (as the faculty representative). He is a key faculty member and the principal knows she can turn to him when assistance is needed. Craig is loved by every teacher, custodian, classified employee, parent, administrator, and student on campus because he is there to help and serve students.

Region 10
Suzanne Thomas
History Department Chair
Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle School

In the language arts and history classes that Suzanne Thomas teaches, students actively participate in their learning. Working in collaborative groups for which students have both individual and group responsibilities, they explore ancient cultures through programs such as History Alive. For example, students might learn at a series of stations throughout the classroom to analyze the sounds of ancient Indian music, explore a rudimentary Sumerian chariot, or play historical Egyptian games. The knowledge they gain is used to create group projects. A class library with a book check-out system provides extra credit and enhances student literacy. In Suzanne’s drama classes, students run the entire show, from ticket sales to lighting, sound and stage management. High expectations are scaffolded by after-school tutoring and differentiated homework. As department chair, Suzanne mentors five colleagues new to teaching sixth-grade social science, providing them with engaging, standards-based lesson plans and pedagogical advice. As a district trainer, she provides professional development to faculty at her school site. For nearly three decades, Suzanne has honed her craft; her accomplishments are reflected in her earning the “outstanding teacher” designation for two of the last ten years at her site. Said one student, “She’s good to all her students and treats them with respect. And she knows how to teach really well.”

Region 11
Scott Johnson
Math Department Chair
Brea Junior High School

A dedicated professional, Scott Johnson is committed to student learning. He teaches because he truly wants to make a difference in students' lives. Often he arrives at school early and stays late to tutor struggling math students. Former students now in high school return to obtain his advice. Technology, such as the InterWrite wireless SchoolPad and the Qwizdom wireless response system, is used in his classroom to enhance math instruction and motivate students. As department chair, Scott is similarly dedicated to helping his colleagues. He voluntarily took on three different preps so that two new teachers would have enough time to provide the best education possible for their students. In addition, he leads the department's analysis of assessment results and discussions on improving teaching practices during professional learning community meetings. For the county department of education, Scott conducts summer training for math teachers in lower performing schools and develops curriculum that includes online tutorials for teachers and students. His extracurricular involvement includes advising the seventh- and eighth-grade academic pentathalon teams; advising the Math Counts team; refereeing sporting events; participating in student-versus-faculty soccer, softball and volleyball games; and organizing family math night events that have grown so popular, they are now held at a community center rather than the school.