Region 1
Deborah Ramos
Math Department Chair
Santa Rosa Middle School

Deborah Ramos is an exemplary educator. From Basic Math to Algebra she supports all her students, including English learners, advanced students and those who have special needs. Most days, she can be found tutoring students before school, during lunch and after school; she even tutors on weekends. The after-school program serves students who either scored far below basic or below basic on the California Standards Tests or earned low grades in math or English. As the Renaissance chair, Deborah tracks the achievement and attendance of every student on campus and organizes special ways to recognize students for their progress and accomplishments. She enlists the school's parents' organization in raising funds for these student recognition programs, enhancing parent involvement. As math department chair, Deborah leads a professional learning community that uses data to inform instruction, co-examines student work, and collaboratively develops common formative assessments. She is spearheading the implementation of a new Accelerated Math program that will support students during and after school. She also guides her peers in other ways. She provides technology integration training on using software and online tools as well as creating podcasts and websites; she is currently helping develop and implement a behavior management guide for students and staff. In addition to this already full plate, Deborah is completing a master's degree in mathematics and working toward National Board certification. Deborah's dedication shows in her commitment to placing students first in all decisions, while also managing to wear many professional hats to support her colleagues and school.

Region 2
Cheryl Scruggs
Language Arts Teacher
Jackson Street School

A 14-year educator, Cheryl Scruggs embraces her middle school roots with humor and a passion for education. She likens teaching middle grades students to riding a rollercoaster on a foggy night: You know the curve is coming, but you can't always see it. Cheryl believes her responsibility as an educator is to help her students build a foundation for their dreams, recognize the connection between their current experiences and the future, and open their eyes to the educational options that lie ahead. A visit to her language arts classroom is an adventure in education. Students write journal entries that reflect on how they would react if they were living through the situations faced by the Anne Frank household or what symbolism can be found in The Giver . They present the story, Esperanza Rising , in edible media from cakes to candy topographical maps. For the satchel project, they decide what possessions they would choose to keep if they were limited to just one suitcase. An advocate of student-led conferences, Cheryl guides students through determining their strengths and weaknesses and presenting their work to their parents, along with any necessary remediation plans. After school, she teaches a remediation program for students who are deficient in academic credits; she is available mornings and nights to provide additional support as needed. Cheryl plans the eighth-grade class trip, oversees the graduation dance, and leads the parent/student teams that coordinate the home basketball tournaments. A teacher-leader, she has mentored staff in curriculum development, realignment, adoption and assessment.

Region 3
Donna McNeel
Activities Director/Reading Teacher
T.R. Smedberg Middle School

Donna McNeel is a gifted middle school teacher who truly understands young adolescents. As activities director, she involves many different types of students in activities by reaching out to all students, not just those who usually participate. She runs competitions, dances, fundraisers, rallies, a diversity forum, the school council and more very efficiently. Donna motivates staff members who would normally never dress up for spirit week or get involved in a lunchtime activity to do so "for the sake of the kids," and she also convinces them to show their real, human selves to the students. The efforts pay off in a positive school culture that makes students feel their middle school years are special. In Donna's reading support class, her motivation is infectious. She is extremely effective at engaging students who have struggled with reading for their entire academic careers. She patiently and enthusiastically helps them build their skills until they finally realize they are smart and capable; their test scores rise as a result. Donna brings this knack for transforming otherwise tedious work into an adventure to the staff pre-service days, setting up activities in the manner of the TV show, "Amazing Race." Teacher teams dress up, follow clues to destinations on-site, complete activities, and then race to the next destination for the better part of the day. The competition energizes the staff, and the experience is the most fun anyone has had during a long pre-service day. Donna gives 200 percent to her school.

2008 STATE EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR

Region 4
Traci Kemper
Language Arts Chair
Edna Hill Middle School

Every parent hopes their children will benefit from the influence of a special teacher. Traci Kemper is that kind of teacher. She has the rare ability to authentically connect with each of her students, her peers, and the community at large. In her classes, she models embracing excellence for her students every day, yet she also has a deep empathy for her students, the desire to reach every student in a meaningful way, and an intrinsic understanding of the young adolescent's developmental needs. Traci has presented at conferences on effective advisory programs in which adult-student connectivity is the central focus. She introduced a school-community partnership program on campus called "passing on apparel for student success" (PASS) that provides hundreds of economically disadvantaged students with complete, fashionable outfits donated by local department stores. Traci's leadership extends to the staff and school as well. She was an active participant in helping Edna Hill Middle School apply for and receive recognition as a Schools to Watch-Taking Center Stage model school, a highly rigorous and extended process. She designed the individual learning plan (ILP) and student-led conference processes for the school and is a BTSA mentor, advisory council team committee member, bobcat pride skills trainer, and the creator of the evening STAR academies for students and parents. Traci is an extraordinary human being and teacher who is committed to the success of her students, colleagues and school. In the words of her former principal, now a superintendent, "Traci is the teacher every parent hopes for."

Region 5
Heidi Shimamoto
Sixth-Grade Core Teacher
Dartmouth Middle School

School begins for Heidi Shimamoto at 7:15 a.m., an hour earlier than the other classes on campus. She starts early so her reading intervention students may finish the class prior to the start of first period and have time for an elective. A strong advocate of the middle school philosophy, she knows that electives provide students with important life experiences and a reason to engage in school. After teaching a regular school day in a classroom that reflects an understanding of diverse learning styles and incorporates high expectations, cooperative learning, project-based instruction and differentiation, Heidi stays late to lead after-school study groups. All of her students get the support they need to achieve, and she is quick to celebrate their successes. As a result, students love her and enjoy her humor and positive attitude. Although she taught gifted students for many years, her true calling is working with students who are struggling. As a team leader, Heidi has developed, in the words of her principal, "one of the most evolved and highly functional teams I have ever worked with." Her team is dedicated to providing nurturing student relationships, interdisciplinary instruction and challenging curriculum. She mentors new staff members at her school and was recently asked by the University of San Francisco to teach student teachers after she completed her master's degree there. She also serves on the school site council, played a key role in the development of pacing guides and common assessments, and was part of the district wellness and book adoption committees.

Region 6
Mark Johnson
Science Teacher
Teel Middle School

Mark Johnson is an outstanding educator. For more than three decades, he has exemplified good teaching through sound educational practices, leadership and character. He holds high expectations for his science students and provides them with a rigorous, standards-based education. Dynamic in the classroom, Mark creates innovative science activities such as the catapult project, which draws standing-room-only crowds of parents during the school's Open House. He makes it possible for students to achieve to high standards by providing them support through encouragement, praise and caring. As Samantha, a current student, said, "Mr. Johnson knows how to make you want to learn. He likes to do a lot of labs and experiments, and that really makes his class fun. I know Mr. Johnson cares [because] sometimes I talk to him about what I am going to do over the weekend, and he always remembers to ask me if I had fun." Students return to visit him long after they have graduated. Mark's dual dedication to rigor and relationships served the school well last year when he was one of two teachers who met with students individually to review their prior year scores on state assessment tests, discuss their performances, and motivate them to do their best. A good part of the school's resulting impressive 41-point API gain and fulfillment of all AYP criteria can be attributed to Mark's one-to-one interventions. Nearly 60 percent of his eighth-grade students scored proficient on the science portion of the CST. Mark has made an enormously positive impact on the lives of numerous students.

Region 7
Annette Pascual
History Teacher
Kings Canyon Middle School

A visit to Annette Pascual's World History/Geography classroom is a journey into the best instructional practices for middle grades students. Activities are standards based, but they are also highly interactive, student centered, and oriented toward higher order thinking skills. Carefully chosen instructional strategies engage and motivate students to succeed; students self-assess and monitor their own progress, promoting self-responsibility for learning. Annette has been trained in techniques for students who are gifted and talented as well as students who qualify for Advancement Via Individual Determination, providing her with the skills to truly differentiate instruction. Her students know Mrs. Pascual's classroom is a safe place to be, a place where participation and productivity are expected and individual opinions are valued. Long regarded as a leader and model for other teachers on campus, Annette was recently selected to be a district mentor for new colleagues. She has also served as an interdisciplinary team leader and department chair. Sometimes a hardship reveals the most about an individual's professional impact and the ties that are created in the workplace. Three years ago, after 30 years of outstanding service, Annette was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her colleagues rallied around her as she endured surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Now back and teaching with her usual passion for student learning, a host of individuals in Annette's network continue to participate in breast cancer awareness and charity activities. In the words of her principal, "She is an exemplary teacher, and is regarded by those who know her as a courageous, dedicated and inspirational role model."

Region 8
Mary Nies
AVID Coordinator
R.H. Dana Middle School

Mary Nies has elevated student learning throughout her school. As the coordinator of the school's Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program, she has fulfilled the mission of AVID, which is to prepare students in the academic middle for four-year college eligibility, and has surpassed that goal by institutionalizing rigorous curriculum focused on writing, inquiry, collaboration and reading for all students on campus. All grade-level teachers receive professional development from Mary on rigor and higher order thinking skills, and use their new knowledge to support students through AVID instructional practices. To further improve student achievement, Mary has initiated programs with local aerospace companies such as Northrop Grumman to provide students with free school-based science and math tutoring from professionals who volunteer. In addition, she facilitates student involvement in an online career program that matches students' vocational interests to professionals representing potential career pathways for online mentoring. In other leadership efforts, Mary is a member of the school leadership team, collaborates with peers as a humanities department co-chair, and has been the driving force behind initiating student-led conferences. She also helped write the school's successful Schools to Watch-Taking Center Stage model school application. Her commitment extends beyond the campus. She visited members of congress in Washington , D.C. to advocate for middle school reform, and she organizes community outreach programs such as pennies for patients and the Richstone pier-to-pier walk-a-thon and holiday helper programs. Mary Nies is a valued member of her school's educational community, an enthusiastic role model for staff, and a tireless advocate for students.

Region 9
Beth Duncan
Sixth-Grade Chair
Vista Academy for the Visual and Performing Arts

An exceptional middle school language arts and social science teacher, Beth Duncan knows her subject matter and teaches it with a dynamic style. She has a magical way of engaging students in the basics and beyond, always holding them accountable for their learning. Students respond to her high expectations, solid approach to teaching the grade-level standards, and creative methods that engage them in every lesson. Beth uses data and student feedback to inform and adjust her instruction. Because she teaches sixth grade, Beth is especially aware of her students' developmental needs and provides each child with a transition to middle school that is challenging yet developmentally appropriate. She is in constant communication with parents and students regarding student progress. She is particularly adept at incorporating technology and the arts into the curriculum and modeling for her students how these two vital areas apply to their lives. Dedicated to educating students to be responsible citizens and community members, Beth values service learning. She involves the entire student body in extensive community service projects. A teacher-leader, Beth guides her colleagues in developing a professional learning community that addresses state standards, benchmarks and interventions for struggling students. She also serves as the sixth-grade, grade-level chair. The 2007 middle school teacher of the year in her district, Beth actively models for students and staff at her site what it means to be a school and community leader - and what a difference one person can make in the community.

Region 10
Jeff Claborn
Language Arts Department Chair
Santa Fe Middle School

Whether he is inside or outside of the classroom, Jeff Claborn's love of teaching is catching. He engages all students and inspires them to become active participants in learning. Jeff teaches English Language Learners and, although his school is now in year six of Program Improvement, his students' most recent STAR scores were 8 percent higher than prior test scores and are well above the district average. Jeff is able to motivate his students in part through his caring, optimistic attitude. Students in his classes obviously cherish being in his class and interacting with him. Said Gabriel, an English learner, "He takes the time to teach students and doesn't rush them or leave them behind. I will be sad that I am going to seventh grade because I have to leave the best teacher." As the new language arts department chair, Jeff oversees 13 teachers, of which only five are returning teachers. Yet his leadership has marked an upward trend in teacher collaboration, achievement-oriented instructional strategies, student achievement, and student and staff morale. These results can be attributed to Jeff's collaborative, supportive leadership style; he is always available to help other teachers and collaborates well with other department chairs through his role on the school leadership team. In addition to serving as department chair and leadership team member, Jeff launched and runs the school's Accelerated Reader program. He is the Title 1 coordinator, an after-school tutor for the ELAP program, and a grade-level reader for both the district-wide English-language arts pacing guide committee and the summer school curriculum committee.

Region 11
Virginia Kutcher
History Department Chair
Rancho Santa Margarita Middle School

The impact of Virginia Kutcher's efforts can be linked directly to her school's success as a two-time California Distinguished School and national Blue Ribbon School . Thirteen years ago, Virginia created an interdisciplinary course that paired her U.S. History class with an English class. The course enhances the curriculum and provides enrichment activities for a diverse group of students, ranging in ability levels from English Language Learners to gifted and talented students. Activities for the class include a "towne" hall simulation, "CSI at Wounded Knee " and a John Wilkes Booth mock trial. Many students are so inspired by these experiences that they go on to become award-winning members of Model United Nations. Virginia also teaches one period of choral music each day. To provide her choral students with the experience of singing on stage, she arranges concerts for them at locations such as Disneyland and the local malls. As chair of the history department, Virginia continually invests in her own professional growth through conferences and seminars so she can best lead her professional learning community. In addition to all these activities, Virginia also spearheads an annual on-campus Civil War reenactment that allows every student to become immersed in history for a day, as well as an on-campus career day featuring dozens of guest speakers. She also led eight consecutive, grueling student trips to Washington , D.C. because, as she said, "It's worth it to see the excitement on their faces." Virginia Kutcher's list of accomplishments may be impressive, but for her it truly is all about the kids.