Teacher of the Year finalists named

The Rotary Clubs of Yuma County and the Yuma Education Foundation have narrowed down the 2008 nominees for Yuma County Teacher of the Year.

Education administrators and officials nominated candidates for five categories. Finalists submitted an essay, a 10-minute video of their classroom and an interview, said Eve Scarff, Teacher of the Year chairwoman.

Yuma County Teacher of the Year is selected from overall finalists, and the top teacher in each category is also chosen.

Teachers will be recognized and the Teacher of the Year will be announced at a banquet Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at the Yuma Civic Center, 1440 W. Desert Hills Drive.

Tickets are sold out, said Denise Sweet-McGregor, president of Yuma Rotary Club and Education Foundation board member, with 800 people expected to attend - making it one of the event's biggest ever.

The 17 finalists and their supporters' comments:


Kindergarten through third grade

-Sheila Mendoza joined Gary A. Knox Elementary School after the school year began to teach second-graders with differentiated abilities.

"Her positive attitude and love of the art of teaching children is reflected in the outstanding quality of teaching she provides for our youth," wrote Principal Laurie Doering and Assistant Principal Neil Johnson in a nomination letter.

She works to accommodate the special needs and learning styles of all her students.

Mendoza also has committed to provide shoes to the children of one of the school's families.

-Lindsey Price has taught at Tierra Del Sol Elementary School for four years and is respected by her peers and admired by the students.

Her ability to align the learning to district curriculum and to meet the needs of her students has been one of the factors that have made it possible for the school to obtain a "highly performing" status.

-Debanie Murdock is a teacher who creates an effective classroom learning environment for her second-grade class at Mohawk Valley Elementary School, which produces results among all her students.

"She has embraced research-based teaching practices and procedures which have produced outstanding achievement results among her students," wrote Alfredo Luna, superintendent for the Mohawk school district.


Fourth through sixth grade

-Francesca Colegrove's peers say she is a teacher who "goes above and beyond to serve students" and "creates and maintains the highest standards to promote a positive and encouraging environment."

Colegrove is considered a role model for new and experienced teachers alike.

Principal Michael Taylor has seen the dedication she had for her students at San Pasqual School, where Colegrove previously taught.

"Her dedication and professionalism ... followed her to her present teaching position at Otondo. She continues to excel in her profession," Taylor wrote.

-Tara Guerrero, a teacher at Gary A. Knox Elementary School, actively engages students and challenges to think critically.

According to Principal Laurie Doering and Assistant Principal Neil Johnson, instruction comes naturally for Guerrero.

"Tara is an exemplary teacher. Instructionally, all of her lessons are task analyzed and planned to the minute detail assuring she meets the various needs of different learners in her room," the school officials wrote.

Guerrero's classroom is "extremely" conducive to learning through playing soft music and decorating the walls.

-Thomas Fell has worked at Southwestern Christian School for at least four years.

Fell prides himself on learning and implementing new learning technology within his classroom. He is always in search of new techniques and strategies to improve and advance his effectiveness as a teacher, according to school Principal Debbie Stewart.

In addition, "he is an excellent speaker and is excited about leading our staff to a deeper relationship with our Lord, Jesus Christ, and to increased student achievement," wrote Stewart in a nomination letter.

Fell is also a coach and referee in the school's boys and girls sports teams.

-Jennifer Levin has been a teacher at Valley Horizon Elementary School for three years, and her positive attitude and love for children are reflected in the quality of her teaching, said Principal Bobbie Henry and Assistant Principal Candy Murray.

Levin directs a schoolwide play and provides the opportunity for students to create a school newspaper. She also teaches an after-school program for students who are English Language Learners.

"Jenny clearly is dedicated to helping all students have a better life through well-rounded education," the school officials wrote.


Junior high/middle school

-Alicia Jorajuria, science education teacher at Mohawk Valley Elementary School, is viewed as being in the top 5 percent of outstanding educators who are exceptionally competent and confident in their role as a teacher.

According to district Superintendent Alfredo Luna, Jorajuria demonstrates daily exemplary teaching techniques in creating an effective classroom learning environment.

-Christine Wright, a teacher at Woodard Junior High for 16 years, has earned a reputation as a mentor and a leader.

She is "always available with a quick word of advice and encouragement and willing to do whatever it takes to help her fellow teaches exceed."

With no knowledge of stringed instruments instruction, Wright decided to take on the music program at the school and learned to play the violin over the summer, wrote Alan Sullivan, principal at Woodard Junior High.

She works to ensure the success of the music program as well as the success of each student in each class.

When she's not planning for classes, she is meeting other local educators and instructors to promote music in Yuma County.

-Walter Johnson has been at Gila Vista Junior High for 39 years, leading his colleagues and students to call him "Mr. Gila Vista." In this time he has filled roles as historian, mentor and career adviser, just to name a few.

In his first 35 years he was a physical education teacher. In his role as a teacher and a coach, he conditioned, counseled and motivated some of Yuma's finest young athletes, according to Rusty Tyndall, principal.

He is now full-time special education teacher and strives to provide practical life lessons and applications to every lesson prepared.


Special area/special education, kindergarten through sixth grade

-Liana Goldsboro takes risks and implements new suggestions and ideas when teaching.

The Gary Knox School teacher employs a variety of strategies such as whole group, small group and direct instruction to engage students in the learning process.

According to her colleagues she makes children feel loved and respected, which makes students behave better.

-Maria Zamorano is a counselor at Mesquite Elementary School. While she is not a classroom teacher, she is "truly the heart of our school."

Colleagues consider her an integral part of the school environment. Because there is an emotional side to all matters, Principal Laura Hurt consults her regularly.

"She is an important part of the dealings that I have with staff, students and parents. She sees a side to things that only a person that is trained in interpersonal skills could see."

-Chris Howard has implemented a physical education curriculum at Mary E. Post Elementary School.

"His ability to modify his instruction so that all students can meet their P.E. standards is ... commended," wrote Jorge Zepeda, principal at the school.

In addition, Howard is able to correctly identify and differentiate his instruction to meet the needs of all English learners in his classes.


High school

-Holly Hendrich, a Cibola High School art teacher, is known among her colleagues as a woman with a passion for all levels of art, from her advanced placement classes to her special needs students.

Her classes are described as lab-like and hands-on experiences where students are up, moving and creating daily. She also builds relationships with her students as Art Club sponsor and being there for them in "mini-counseling sessions."

She is described as exceptional in forming close bonds with her students and giving them a lifelong appreciation of artistic expression.

-Lorie Honeycutt is described as "a cut above her peers."

As department chairwoman for business at Yuma High School, she not only teaches her classes but also regularly visits other teachers to observe her colleagues. She coordinates YHS' Future Business Leaders of America and this year has helped out with the Distributive Education Clubs of America program.

Her colleagues say she has helped her students understand a multitude of strong business practices and life lessons, drawing on her own experience as a motivational speaker. She has helped lift up not only her students, but other teachers as well.

-Robert Chambers has been with Antelope Union High School for the past 10 years.

He is described as an integral part of the school, in his role as federal/state grant management director and as junior varsity football and varsity wrestling coach.

His colleagues say he demands the best of his students and they respond to his high standards, both as a teacher and in his work in the community. He is "a real asset to our students, faculty and community."

-Robert Rammelt, drama teacher and instructional coach at Gila Ridge High School, is described as a man who extends his influence beyond the classroom.

This year, before Gila Ridge's auditorium was even complete, he brought 75 chairs into the school band room, borrowed a spotlight and got his students through their first drama performance.

He is also a resource for new and less experienced teachers, and his colleagues say his instructional knowledge and interpersonal intelligence has allowed him to earn the trust and respect of the entire faculty.