Two local educators have been selected to represent Sacramento County teachers in the statewide Teachers of the Year program.
At the annual countywide awards dinner held September 9 at the Sacramento Hilton, the following were announced as Teachers of the Year 2003 for Sacramento County: Virginia Avila, English teacher at Grant Union High School (Grant Joint Union High School District) and Jim Jordan, English and Journalism teacher at Del Campo High School (San Juan Unified School District).
At the dinner, Sacramento County Board of Education President Brian Cooley presented Avila and Jordan each with the County Board of Education Award of Merit—the highest honor bestowed by the Sacramento County Board of Education—and the two teachers were awarded a shared perpetual trophy presented by James Stephens of the Sacramento Scottish Rite. Avila and Jordan now advance to the California Teachers of the Year program. Names of the five individuals selected as California Teachers of the Year will be announced in October by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. One California Teacher of the Year will be chosen to represent all teachers in the state at the national level.
Virginia Avila and Jim Jordan were among 16 teachers recognized Monday evening as "Teachers of the Year 2003" for their respective school districts. Each district Teacher of the Year was introduced by a current or former student, or a parent of a student. Teachers of the Year were escorted by their superintendents and principals. Serving as masters of ceremonies for the evening were Sacramento County Teachers of the Year 2002 Kathryn Allaman (Center Unified School District) and Sheryl Sorensen (Natomas Unified School District). Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools Dr. David P. Meaney, joined by 3-D International Vice President Tim Murchison, presented commemorative apple awards to all 16 teachers. Sacramento Valley-based authors Meladee and Hanoch McCarty, co-authors of the acclaimed "Chicken Soup" book series, donated an autographed copy of "Chicken Soup for the Teacher's Soul" to each of the 16 Teachers of the Year.