|
2008 TEACHERS MAKING A DIFFERENCE
AWARDS
CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL
Southern California
Emcee: TED CHEN, co-anchor of the weekend editions of "Today in LA" and general assignment reporter for the "Channel 4 News."
The Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates and recognizes teachers by honoring them with the “Teachers Making a Difference” Awards. It is a given that these teachers have the classroom skills but it is that ‘something special’ they have to make a difference in their students. Teachers being honored are also able to effectively interact and communicate with parents, their colleagues and the community. Briefly is comments about the teachers being honored and say a little bit more about the differences they are making via the methods they are using in the world of education. We are happy to announce the 2008 Honorees:
REBECCA CARUSO, 6th Grade, Cleveland Elementary, Pasadena Ms. Caruso is an outstanding teacher. Her classroom discipline is exemplary. She sends daily progress reports home with her students and has maintained this system every year. She effectively implemented the Open Court Reading Program – studying Egypt and even making artifacts. Last year her students created a power point presentation on ‘saving our environment’. In the 5 ½ years I have served as her Principal, I have never heard her raise her voice to a student. The children follow her and truly respect her. She is a master at addressing behavior issues for a positive outcome. This skill greatly improves the behavior of students who may be challenged in this area. Students, who may have had problems the previous year, do not have behavior problems in her classroom. Last year, Ms. Caruso provided an opportunity for her students to experience the joy of giving and led them in an effort to make blankets for the less fortunate and acquire new teddy bears where were also donated. She also provided a lesson in self and community sufficiency leading the students in a community garden project. Giving beyond the regular classroom time, Ms. Caruso coordinates these activities after school and on the weekends. She is an inspiration to her students and encourages as well as assists them in the research and application process. By all accounts, Ms. Caruso was born to be a teacher instilling academic pride and assuring accomplishments in her children. NOMINATED by Francine Williams, Ph.D, Principal, Cleveland Elementary.
JOYCE WAKANO CHINN, 5th Grade, Vanalden Elementary, Reseda Ms. Chinn has dedicated 38 years of her career to educating children and making education fun. She still has great affection and enthusiasm is When talking about her ‘kids’, it apparent that she still holds a great deal of affection and enthusiasm for her profession. She works hard to make learning a positive experience for her kids through various projects. This creates awareness in them where they are able to recognize their individual contributions to a responsible team which helps maintain the classroom for quality learning. She loves children and consequently loves getting to know them while assessing their strengths, needs and learning capabilities. She inspires her students to their best success and motivates them to focus on goals as an integral part of their lives. In addition to her dedication to teaching, Chinn is a tireless worker in the community and is especially involved with Nisei Week. NOMINATED BY Linda W. Wah-Okazaki.
JOE GIVENS, Speech & Language Teacher, Willard Elementary, Pasadena Mr. Givens works with a heavy caseload, yet finds time to be a special support to other teachers and colleagues. In addition to his classroom, he also trains new therapists and supports all of the Speech and Language teachers in the district. He is dedicated and gives the students well structured lessons. He is an enjoyable entertaining teacher and frequently uses music in his lessons. He sings, brings stories, and supports instruction in interesting ways. He cares and that is evident in his interactions – he also uses humor and students love Mr. Givens. He also throws wonderful graduation celebrations for his students. He always gives 120% and comes in to do his best every day and making a system better for all students. He is truly a teacher who makes a difference – maintains a positive attitude and is a true advocate for the students and for the special education in Pasadena. NOMINATED by Kathy Onoye, Ed.D. Principal, Willard Elementary.
LESLIE HONG, PreK Special Education Autism, Cleveland Elementary, Pasadena Ms. Hong teaches in a quiet consistent manner to her 3 and 4 year old autistic students. All of her children are successful with her teaching. She spends a lot of time developing sensory motor skills with her children and providing them with positive praise and feedback. She is truly making a difference in the lives of her students on a daily basis. She is helping them to acquire needed life skills, providing them with developmentally appropriate academic activities and helping them to learn social skills. It is always a joy to hear her tell them good job, you did it, you can do it and then to see the glee in her eyes and hear the claps of approval for her students. She is doing a job that takes a special person and she is certainly that person. NOMINATED BY Francine Williams, Ph.D., Principal.
RON HOSHI, Grades 7-12 Vocal Music Teacher, now Assistant Principal, Oxford Academy, Cypress As a 20+ veteran vocal music teacher, Mr. Hoshi has built several programs from the ground up. Often, one can drive by the schools and still see him working well into the night. He was recently promoted to Assistant Principal. Mr. Hoshi was nominated by a former student who he inspired to become a teacher as well. The vocal music concerts conducted by him are of professional quality. Outside the classroom he creates many opportunities for his students by taking them to Broadway shows and tours to such places as Hawaii and New York to experience show business. He also previously served as the teacher’s union representative and created an active voice for all teachers. NOMINATED by 2007 Teachers Making a Difference Honoree Jennifer Sasai, Walker Junior High School
SHARON ITO, 8th Grade English, Brightwood Elementary, Monterey Park Ms. Ito was nominated by 3 parents and 2 students which speaks volumes for her influence as a teacher. One of her former students said that prior to her providing the foundation for him; he was socially awkward and completely failed at public speaking. However, supported by her mentoring, by the end of year he had become more confident with his ability to speak in front of others. She organizes a trip to Keiro nursing home every year which is a massive undertaking – including transportation, funding for costumes, hours of practice for the songs they would sing. At the last Keiro they sang Silent Night in Japanese where he felt they really touched the arts of nursing home patients. He currently attends California Institute of Technology. Another student said that Ms. Ito prepared them for the future not just for 8th grade. It wasn’t her job but her passion in teaching and her dedication to instill Language Arts in her students that makes her a successful teacher. Comments from the parents where Ms. Ito taught during her 30 year teaching career at Brightwood all speak to the extra mile she goes to provide the foundation for future success of her kids. The joy that she brought to some of the kids who did not have a love for English and how she broke the barriers so that her students would achieve high in their life goals are just a couple. NOMINATED by Lisa Yee; Denise Tso; Peter Kwa; Timothy Kwa; & Lauren Woo.
BONNIE KASAMATSU, High School Geometry, South Hills High School, West Covina Ms. Kasamatsu was nominated by her daughters who are so inspired by their mother as a teacher that both daughters went on to become teachers. Most great teachers go the extra mile to further the progress of their students. Teaching requires endless hours of preparation, grading and sacrifice for the goal of creating the optimal learning environment and activities. Most of the time it goes unnoticed but is evident through student achievement or appreciation. As her daughters – they witnessed the amount of time Ms. Kasamatsu has put into her student. Last year, the student body of 2006-2007 created a mock award and nominated her “Most likely to stay in her classroom to explain a problem until 8 pm or however long it takes” as a token of her students appreciation for her willingness to go the extra mile. Her subject matter is not easy – Geometry – but she is patient teacher and creates a discipline that they learned in her classroom that they take out into the world. As relatively new teachers, Kasamatsu’s daughters look to their mother for motivation and support as they learn their crafts. She leads by example; she shares importance of tolerance for all cultures and races by sharing her family story and respect toward others. NOMINATED by Tami & Tricia Kasamatsu
DR. HIROKO C. KATAOKA, Asian American Studies, California State University, Long Beach Dr. Kataoka is dedicated to teaching inside and outside the classroom with her passion in teaching Japanese Language and culture. Her teaching method is unique in that she does not completely grade a student’s assignment without advice and guidance – the focus is learning Japanese not just getting their grade. Dr. Kataoka is also active in the Aurora Foundation who bestows scholarships to graduate students or Japanese language teachers to Japan in order to enhance their knowledge of Japanese language and culture. This year Dr. Kataoka mentored a grant recipient from Beaver Alaska researching history of Frank Yasuda who came to Alaska from Japan to operate a trading pot in Beaver, the town he founded in 1910. She is a Board Member of the Aurora Foundation, Asahi Gakuen, Association of Teachers of Japanese, National Council of Japanese Language Teachers and the Alliance of Association of Teachers of Japanese. NOMINATED by Akiko Agishi, President Aurora Foundation.
STAN KONG, Design, Pasadena City College Mr. Kong is nominated by one of his students currently enrolled in the basic art rendering skills class. Before taking Kong’s class, he had heard many great comments about Kong’s skill level and teaching abilities and noticed that he is a favorite amongst the Pasadena City College student body. Kong is highly charismatic and has a positive attitude which allows the class to produce amazing work. He creates a positive atmosphere conducive to creativity prompting his students to greater efforts and achievements. His real word design experience translates to a highly effective and knowledgeable teaching curriculum. He is well known in Pasadena and highly regarded in the community - actively protecting the beauty of Pasadena. “Everything I have learned from Mr. Kong has helped me to become the designer I want to be.” NOMINATED by Christopher G. Stevens
ANN OGAWA & MYRON GEE, Adult Education, Belmont Education & Career Center, Los Angeles Ms Ogawa and Mr. Gee are a married professional team. Collectively they have dedicated 44 years to adult academic education in various positions including teaching, counseling and coordinating of school operations and ELS. Ogawa and Gee practically single-handedly arranged for an outreach Community Fair with food and entertainment at the Center for their adult student population and middle school parents attending Sat. school. Their efforts increased adult enrollment and created goodwill among the day school parents and staff. Both have helped obtain a variety of funds and services for students of limited resources or during family emergencies or time of need. Whatever the school needs, they are willing to assist beyond the call of duty. They practice the motto of educating the child by educating the parent. NOMINATED by Linda Campbell, Ph.D. & Brenda Kilbourne.
CATHY OKITA, 1st & 2nd Grade, Ranch Hills Elementary, Pomona Ms. Okita has been teaching elementary school for the past twenty-four years. She is the ultimate role model to others. She comes in early, stays late working on curriculum, planning individual learning activities, designing creative lessons, displaying student works and actively communicating with parents. Her classroom environment speaks for itself – with a colorful and engaging room that pops with energy and pride. It is a challenge for a teacher to teach two grade levels in one room. And the students love Ms. Okita as a warm, sweet and loving person. She models respect, responsibility and compassion consistently. She is one of the most motivated teachers on the staff. She became a teacher because of her 8th grade teacher who went the extra mile to build a relationship with her. The students in Okita’s class continuously score high and proficient on the annual California STAR test and on the district wide assessments in Language Arts and Mathematics. NOMINATED by Cynthia T. Quan, Ed.D, Principal.
THERESA PETERS, High School Biology, Mayfield Senior School, Pasadena Ms. Peters leads her students in Biology and Advanced Placement Biology to an understanding of the material with imaginative and demanding labs and with creative demonstrations. She expects excellence from her students and they respond – many earning 5’s – the highest possible grade on the Advanced Placement Biology Examination. Although the youngest faculty member, Ms. Peters chaired the Science Department and took a leadership role in curriculum development. She successfully lobbied to make Introduction to Experimental Science for 9th graders without previous lab experience, a required course and began teaching this course as a summer offering to talented students who wishes to accelerate into Biology. She also established the job of Laboratory Assistant, a senior science student who works for a small stipend – this has proven very helpful to the faculty and program. She also heads the Science Club which is the largest and most active club on campus. The club runs an effective paper recycling program which generated enough money to buy each teacher a special two section recycling waste basket. For the past two summers Ms. Peters has led a group of students to Costa Rica to work on environmental projects. NOMINATED by Jeanne Register.
DR. GAY YUEN, Professor, Charter College of Education California State University at Los Angeles Dr. Yuen focused her career on making education a priority for excellence. She founded charter schools, including the Accelerated Charter School which was the first charter school in South Central Los Angeles recently recognized as one of the model charter schools nationwide. Dr. Yuen mentors student interns to complete their credential programs, helping place them in ‘teacher shortage’ areas and establishing follow up program to ensure they are successful. Besides her excellence in education, Dr. Yuen proves her leadership and foresight and progressiveness in changing education to meet global economy. Her campaign to teach Mandarin in schools recognizes the importance of Chinese in the global economy. This program will prepare the State with a pipeline of upcoming certified Chinese language teachers. It is projected that over 2,000 Chinese language teachers will be needed statewide in the next 10 years. As a non-English speaking immigrant, 6 year old Yuen suffered greatly in the hands of a non-tolerant teacher who punisher her for not speaking English. She’s determined to work towards a school system that will be kinder and gentler to those children who couldn’t speak English. She was one of the first certified bilingual Chinese teachers in the state and has worked ever since in the area of bilingual, ESL and minority education. NOMINATED BY Linda S. Wah-Okazaki.
|
