Region 1
Paul Standridge
Social Science Chair
Pomolita Middle School
Ukiah Unified School District

Paul Standridge sets high expectations for students and delivers a rigorous curriculum in a relevant, engaging manner. Enthusiastic about technology in the classroom, he incorporates a wealth of multimedia tools into his effective instructional strategies. In his social science classes for general, English learner and honors academy students, students develop the critical thinking skills necessary to evaluate conflicting historical evidence. Students take responsibility for their learning through group activities, peer evaluation, rubric use, homework records and more. As social science department chair, Paul led teachers from two middle schools through the textbook adoption process and subsequent lesson pacing and planning; he also served as an assistant principal for a time when called upon, provided he could return to the classroom. Paul recently led his professional learning community through the alignment of lessons to state standards, resulting in a marked increase in test scores.

Region 2
Luanne Park
Art Teacher/Activities Director
Shasta Lake Middle School
Gateway Unified School District

A gifted middle school teacher, Luanne Park truly understands young adolescents. As an arts educator, she helps students develop their creativity and imagination through teaching them the skills needed to produce and appreciate art. Eighth-grade students present their portfolios to the community at an annual art show. Luanne ties her art projects to content-area standards so students can deepen their learning and engage more in school. As activities director, she is the driving force behind the leadership class and guides the organization of high quality school spirit activities, assemblies, career days and health fairs. For example, career days feature all sectors of the workplace so students may understand why they need a good education. Leadership students also participate in community service and support charities. As an ultra-marathoner, cross-country coach, and running club advisor, Luanne lives the ideals of commitment and follow-through and relays these characteristics to her students.

Region 3
Gregg Motarjeme
Math Department Chair
Silverado Middle School
Dry Creek Joint Elementary School District

Middle level students love Gregg Motarjeme. He understands their age group, is enthusiastic and positive, and strives to create a sense of connectedness with students in order to assure they are learning. In the classroom, he wears a shirt and tie to demonstrate the professional role of the teacher, but he will also wear a costume on a dare to encourage student engagement. Gregg’s lessons are rigorous, technology-based, creative and captivating; friendly class competitions motivate students to perform at high levels. In his work as math department chair, Gregg uses data to drive instruction. With his team, Gregg initiated a zero-period math program to support struggling Algebra 1 students, plus two after-school programs. He also serves as a track and field coach, eighth-grade team leader, site technology advisor, staff development cadre team member, and leadership team member. His is often the first car to arrive and the last to leave; every student on campus knows Gregg.

Region 4
Kathleen Byle
English Department Chair
Sequoia Middle School
Mount Diablo Unified School District

Walk into Kathleen Byle’s English and social studies core classroom, and you will see she is an exceptional teacher; her room is filled with visuals, hands-on activities and student work that illustrate her commitment to student engagement and high expectations. A 25-year educator, Kathleen understands the developmental and academic needs of middle school students. They view her room as a safe haven and turn to her when they need help finding their social niche or dealing with personal issues. As a pivotal participant in her school’s special and general education collaboration model, Kathleen has welcomed the most challenging students. Her leadership roles include English department chair, teacher mentor, advisory and curriculum committee member, and district writing trainer. As a volunteer for the American Diabetes Association, she counsels students dealing with the disease. Kathleen’s dedication, generosity and commitment to excellence exemplify the ideals of teaching.

Region 5
Suzanne Hughes
Math Department Chair
Thomas Russell Middle School
Milpitas Unified School District

A 25-year teacher, Suzanne Hughes lives the middle school philosophy. She knows middle grades students learn best when they are supported and involved in their learning. With her mixed seventh and eighth-grade team, Suzanne initiated looping and created 15 popular interdisciplinary projects that feature student choice, differentiated instruction, preferred learning styles and video logs. As math department chair, she insisted on Algebra 1 for all eighth-grade students; today scores continue to rise and all eighth-graders are either enrolled in Algebra 1, Geometry or Algebra 2/Trigonometry. For one of her most successful creations, the Russell adoption program, faculty adopt at-risk students and meet with them regularly to set goals, eat lunch, or work on homework together. The support leads to strong connections and improved academic performance. Her principal said, “I continue to be in awe of Suzanne’s energy, compassion, creativity and love of middle school students.”

Region 6
Judi Rand
Special Education Teacher
Teel Middle School
Empire Union School District

A 30-year middle-grades special education teacher, Judi Rand is revered by staff and students alike for her compassion, enthusiasm and professionalism. Her principal writes, “Mrs. Rand’s dedication to her students is outstanding; her service to our school is amazing.” Students are equally impressed. Says Matthew, “Mrs. Rand is the best teacher I’ve ever had…she calls me ‘coconut’ or ‘pineapple’…I like when she explains the question to me because I always understand...” Ashtar adds, “Mrs. Rand is a great teacher. She teaches me a lot of subjects.” And from Josh, “I like Mrs. Rand. If I have problems, I go straight to her and she talks with me…” Former students return each year to visit Judi, having been part of a learning community where every student is valued, respected, encouraged to develop positive character attributes and life skills, and given every opportunity for academic success. Judi also dedicates significant time to the leadership team and student activities.

Region 7
Lucia Alvarado
Sixth-Grade Teacher
Almond Tree Middle School
Delano Union School District

The child of two loving parents who toiled as farm laborers their whole lives, Lucia Alvarado grew up working in the fields with her siblings during school vacations to help the family earn money. She has taken that hardworking ethic and applied it in her accomplished 26-year teaching career, helping sixth-grade students from her lifelong community succeed academically. Succeed they do; Almond Tree Middle School consistently scores nines and tens in the similar schools ranking, and Lucia’s principal asserts that she has been a vital part of that success. In the classroom, she holds high expectations for students, teaches them success-oriented behavior, prepares them for local assessments, and forges bonds that result in a stream of former students returning to visit year after year. For her school, Lucia provides unparalleled leadership in her grade-level professional learning community on developing essential standards, unwrapping them, and using data to improve instruction.

STATE EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR

Region 8
Matthew Rubin
Science Teacher / ASB Advisor
Castaic Middle School
Castaic Union School District

Matthew Rubin’s best quality is his ability to work not just for himself, but for the team. He is always willing to listen to ideas and collaborate to make the school a better place for student learning. He brings creativity and innovation to his science classroom, devising exciting activities such as the crime buster’s lab, where students act as CSI agents investigating a crime. Working with interdisciplinary team members who share his general and sheltered science students, Matthew helped create curricula and portfolios that combine benchmark test results and authentic assessments to evaluate student progress. For ASB, he continually generates new activities to engage students. In his role as teacher-leader for the school’s professional learning community, Matthew responded to an identified need for parent involvement by instituting a web site grading and communication system that so impressed parents, a group of them officially recognized his site at a school board meeting.

Region 9
JJ Sclar
AVID Coordinator/Leadership Teacher
Olive Peirce Middle School
Ramona Unified School District

JJ Sclar is one of those dynamic educators who instinctively knows adults have an important role to play during students’ middle-grades years. A cross-country and basketball coach, JJ’s favorite quote from Steve Prefontaine describes the way he thinks, lives and teaches: “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.” The ability to motivate students so they strive to become better resonates with him. Three years ago, JJ transitioned from teaching World History to coordinating the school’s Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program. In this role, he has built an effective program that bridges with his district’s elementary and high school partner programs. He encourages all his AVID students to take ownership of their learning so they can truly make their dreams come true. By mixing the right amount of curriculum and passion, he feels he can help every child realize the goal of college and a happy, successful future. JJ is also active in his professional learning community.

Region 10
Cheryl Rodenhi
Critical Skills/Severely Handicapped Teacher
Erle Stanley Gardner Middle School
Temecula Valley Unified School District

Imagine not communicating until you were 12 years old. In the three years severely handicapped students spend in Cheryl Rodenhi’s Special Day class, students who have never been able to communicate before come to develop a personally appropriate level of computer skills, a picture communication system, and knowledge of voice-activated communication. Her students make so much progress that parents often attempt to hold back their children from high school, wishing for more time with Cheryl. Through the Peer Buddy program she developed, Cheryl facilitates social inclusion for her students. General education students apply and interview for the program and then train during their elective period to assist students with special needs. The student volunteers can then take a handicapped “buddy” to the lunch area to help them eat and interact with peers. Cheryl is also actively involved with the leadership team.

Region 11
Robert Gaudette
Social Science Chair
Dale Junior High School
Anaheim Union High School District

Robert Gaudette is a favorite among students at his school for his ability to make history fun and exciting by creating interactive, standards-based lessons and activities using podcasts, online forums and more. As one student said, “His class is really hard but he makes you want to work hard and do well.” Robert currently teaches honors and sheltered U.S. History. He is always up for new challenges and jumps right in when he can help students or the school. As social studies chair, he helped write the district’s Teaching American History grant. A technology genius, Robert is an Intel Master Trainer who instructs other teachers school-wide and district-wide. He built and maintained the school’s computer lab and website for years, plus facilitated the school’s EETT grant. He has served as a master teacher, ASB advisor and championship boy’s volleyball coach. He also organizes an annual community service project that raises funds to purchase food for students’ families in need.