Tom Funk and Allison Stiles were among 16 teachers recognized Wednesday evening as Teachers of the Year 2006 for their respective school districts. Among those present at the dinner were the honorees' superintendents and principals. Each district Teacher of the Year was introduced by either a current or former student, or a parent of a student. David W. Gordon, County Superintendent of Schools, presented each of the Teachers of the Year with an inscribed award. Serving as masters of ceremonies for the evening were Sacramento County Teachers of the Year 2005 Barbara Harris (Folsom Cordova Unified School District) and Asa Salley (Sacramento City Unified School District).
All of the school districts within the County of Sacramento, along with the Sacramento County Office of Education, are invited each year to participate in the Sacramento County Teachers of the Year Program. Larger districts are eligible to submit two entries. Each district's Teacher of the Year completes a comprehensive application packet, which includes an extensive biography and answers to questions ranging from personal philosophy of teaching to an understanding of current educational issues. A community selection committee comprised of education professionals, including previous Teachers of the Year, meets in the fall to interview each district Teacher of the Year and select the two finalists. The names of 16 teachers representing 12 school districts and the Sacramento County Office of Education were entered in the Teachers of the Year 2006 Program in Sacramento County.
Tom Funk and Allison Stiles now advance to the statewide competition, out of which five teachers will be chosen as California Teachers of the Year. The five California Teachers of the Year are responsible for representing the teaching profession in a variety of settings and assisting their teaching colleagues in numerous ways throughout the calendar year of 2006. Their names, and that of the one individual of the group selected as the state's nominee to the National Teacher of the Year Program will be announced later in the fall by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
The Sacramento County Teachers of the Year Program is presented by the Sacramento County Office of Education in partnership with Maloof Sports and Entertainment and the Sacramento Scottish Rite Bodies of Freemasonry.
Teachers of the Year 2006 Chosen by Sacramento-Area School Districts
| Photo | Teacher |
|---|---|
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Lura Anderson Center Unified School District 5th Grade |
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Diann L. Smooth Del Paso Heights School District (Now part of Twin Rivers Unified School District) 1st Grade |
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Jenifer Avey Elk Grove Unified School District 5th Grade |
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Tom Funk • Selected as County TOY 2006 Elk Grove Unified School District Middle School: Humanities (Social Science & Language Arts) |
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Glenn H. Reagan Folsom Cordova Unified School District Astronomy, Physics, Physical & Earth Science |
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Jorge Muñoz Grant Joint Union High School District Music |
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Georgia Allen-Schaaf Natomas Unified School District Kindergarten |
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Donna Sanchez North Sacramento School District Kindergarten |
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Julie Woofter Rio Linda Union School District 2nd Grade |
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Christine Somach Robla School District Elementary: First Five School Readiness Coach |
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Michael Holt Sacramento City Unified School District Middle School |
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Jennifer Hughes Sacramento City Unified School District 2nd Grade |
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Emily Saur Sacramento Consortium of Charter Schools 2nd-3rd Grade |
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Cathy Goodrich Sacramento County Office of Education High School: Young Adult Transition Program / Special Education |
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Veronica Schwalbach San Juan Unified School District 4th Grade Rapid Learner Program |
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Allison Stiles • Selected as County TOY 2006 San Juan Unified School District Middle School: Art |