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Region 1
Kirsten Searby
English Department Chair
Elsie Allen High School
Even after 30 years in the classroom, Kirsten Searby emanates excitement for her work with students and staff. Each new student success is to be celebrated whether the class is Advanced Placement or Sheltered English; there are always ways to refine lessons. In relating to others, Kirsten demonstrates support, encouragement, non-evaluative judgment and humility. As a BTSA mentor, she is always available for new teachers, even late at night. She devotes many hours to guiding new teachers in implementing strategies for student engagement, literacy, differentiated instruction, and challenging curriculum. A Sonoma State University adjunct professor, Kirsten is developing a collaborative college partnership that will allow students to complete up to one year of college credits while still in high school so they may graduate from college in just three years. As a peer literacy coach, she has developed a structure to allow common collaboration, discussion and peer observation, resulting in a true community of colleagues who are improving their craft. Kirsten clearly loves her job, and has made an incredible difference at her site.
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Region 2
Laura Hoertling
Cal-SAFE Adviser
North State Independence High School
For 26 years, Laura Hoertling has been pursuing her dream of teaching at risk students. For the past six years she has focused on teen parents. Her approach entwines the 40 developmental assets with state standards to ensure students feel welcomed, safe and cherished as they meet their graduation requirements. Laura believes in teaching the whole child so each student may develop the relationships, confidence and skills necessary for academic success. She was ASB adviser for three years, during which she coordinated field trips, fund raisers, the prom and service projects. Active on her school's leadership team, Laura has written grants, co-chaired the WASC committee, and compiled SPSA and SARC reports. She serves on the professional learning community assessment development team, the school site council and the safety committee. At the state level, Laura sits on the boards of the California Consortium for Independent Study and the California Alliance Concerned with School Age Parenting and Pregnancy Prevention. She advocates for students as she works closely with state Department of Education liaisons, political advocates and school and community leaders.
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Region 3
Raymond Chayo
Math/English Teacher
Folsom High School
Raymond Chayo is a 30-year teacher, student advocate and a change agent for mathematics instruction. Students in his class have a positive self-concept because he inspires them to learn and achieve; even in calculus, they don't view the material as too difficult. It is not unusual to find Raymond in costume, and his classroom is alive with student participation. He created a calculus curriculum that emphasizes conceptual understanding rather than advanced placement (AP) preparation, yet during his five-year tenure at his current school, AP Calculus testing jumped from 4 students per year to 81 last year, with 77 passing. Raymond makes learning fun by using themes such as "build your knowledge" and "you have the power." As the teacher leader for calculus and pre-calculus, he writes curriculum, facilitates pacing guide development, and creates benchmark assessments and final exams with an inclusive leadership style. He enjoys integrating mathematics throughout the curriculum, from English to physics. Raymond has written many books, including a novel and a math series. Not a week goes by without a former student emailing or visiting. |
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Region 4
Alicia Vosberg
Social Studies Teacher
El Camino High School
Alicia Vosberg is in her fourth year of teaching, and during this time she has deeply impacted her students and school. Her instructional repertoire was so well established even while student teaching that she began her career by teaching Advanced Placement Modern World History. Since then, she has built a reputation as the go-to colleague for advice on lesson planning and integrating technology. She is a teacher leader who is respected by her peers as an innovative, enthusiastic professional who is motivated to improve students' academic and leadership capabilities. With her students, Alicia challenges them in a way that fosters confidence in their abilities to succeed. For English learners, she uses specially designed academic instruction in English to maximize content knowledge and English acquisition. Alicia introduced the Sojourn to the Past program at school, which has proved popular with students. She is the advisor for the multicultural club and will soon advise the Spoken Word, a club focused on Hip Hop culture. Alicia serves on the school site council and will assume a leadership role on the council this year.
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Region 5
Timothy "Buck" Roggeman
Journalism Teacher/Varsity Coach
Pacific Grove High School
A 14-year teacher, Timothy "Buck" Roggeman is a positive school role model, an inspirational leader and an agent of positive change. He teaches journalism, English and media production, plus serves as head varsity football coach. As a journalism teacher, Buck transformed a copier-published school newspaper into a professional 25,000-circulation publication. Yet it is through his role as a coach especially that he has made an impact on his school's culture. In the classroom and on the football field, Buck has shaped student lives by inspiring them to become their best. He holds high standards for students and players. He instituted mandatory study sessions for athletes and hosts football team retreats that focus on values rather than football. He started a My Strength club for boys on campus to reduce sexual violence against women and has team members attend a rape crisis center seminar instead of going to practice. By stressing values and the importance of accomplishing team goals, he has transformed his team into compassionate and caring young people. Along the way, they have won numerous regional championships. |
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Region 6
James McCarthy
Journalism Teacher
Grace M. Davis High School
The true measure of a teacher can be seen in the daily celebration of learning in the classroom. James McCarthy's dynamic teaching style and unique ability to motivate young people has resulted in many former students going on to become college and professional journalists and his school's newspaper, The Corinthian, being selected as one of just 26 student newspapers nationwide to receive the 2007bPacemaker Award from the Journalism Education Association. James' students say that his drive to produce an accurate, insightful and courageous newspaper is what inspires them. His students take on all the responsibilities of professional journalists, from verifying facts to meeting printing deadlines even if night and weekend work is required. Recent article headlines include "War Zone: How One Davis High School Family Fled Iraq" and "Abusive Teenage Dating." A recent editorial by one student, "Game Indecency a Disgrace to Davis Name," transformed how fellow students behaved at school basketball games for the rest of the season. James is the first to celebrate student successes with pizza parties and trips to state and national journalism conferences. |
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Region 7
Matt Verhalen
Science Department Chair
Clovis West High School
Matt Verhalen is a leader for students and staff at his school. A 20-year veteran with the enthusiasm of a first-year teacher, Matt endeavors to reach every student with a special focus on those who struggle with science. He balances high expectations for all with ongoing support, patience and commitment. Students cluster in his classroom at lunchtime for tutoring and mentoring. In the 10 years Matt has served as department chair, he has embraced new instructional practices such as professional learning teams (PLTs) and has led the implementation of PLTs school-wide. As a leader, he facilitates true collaboration and a commitment to student learning. The school's strong API growth has been attributed in part to Matt's focus on continuous school improvement. Matt coaches the Science Olympiad and is one of two teacher-leaders for the school's small learning communities grant. In this role, he helps oversee teamed ninth- and tenth-grade classes, career pathways, and an advisory/tutorial. "Matt has taken school reform to new heights at Clovis West, and there is not a finer teacher anywhere," said his principal. |
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2008 STATE EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR
Region 8
Sean O'Brien
English Department Chair
West Ranch High School
Sean O'Brien is a 15-year educator dedicated to students, colleagues and community. As a founding staff member at his three-year-old school, Sean was instrumental in establishing the campus vision. As English department chair, he built the program, helping create curriculum and hire staff members. An expert in differentiated, standards-based instruction, Sean makes honors and advanced placement courses open to all students in his department. As a result of this modeling, open access to college preparatory courses is now a school-wide priority and English learners and students with special needs enroll in advanced courses. He uses team teaching, looping and other innovative practices to connect with students and support their learning, and many stay in touch long after graduation. As a mentor teacher, BTSA provider, PAR consulting teacher and district professional development trainer, Sean establishes long-term goals tied to student achievement and teacher efficacy. He trains colleagues in research-based, student-centered strategies such as Cornell Notes, differentiated instruction, Schaffer writing and team teaching, resulting in significant API score increases. He is also head junior varsity football coach.
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Region 9
Amy Degenfelder
English Department Chair
Westview High School
Amy Degenfelder is a 14-year educator who excels as a teacher and department mentor. She is passionately dedicated to her students and strives to engage all of them in learning. Two years ago, she attended differentiated instruction and advanced placement design courses in preparation for crafting a fully differentiated advanced placement language and composition class. The class now serves over 150 students with a wide range of writing abilities and is accessible to all skill levels. Former students who took the class in its first year have reported back that they felt well prepared for the demands of college as a result. Amy has also emerged as a professional leader. As English department chair, she is currently guiding her colleagues in developing transparency for content team standards, common assessments and a common grading policy; she is also synthesizing the vertical alignment of curriculum and standards for the department as a whole. As a mentor for new and veteran teachers alike, she is a proponent of collaboration and peer observation as avenues for improving professional practice.
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Region 10
Kristin DeWit
Math Teacher
Hemet High School
Kristin DeWit's passion, enthusiasm, dedication and leadership make her an extraordinary teacher. Absolutely committed to individual student success, she tutors one to two hours after school, posts sample step-by-step solutions to problems on her web site, and, as a motivational factor, has created a system to recognize student excellence. Kristin engages all her students with deep curricular knowledge and interactive activities. She led a joint effort with colleagues at two district schools to plan and implement new activities in math analysis. She co-authored a fun yet challenging sequence of advanced placement calculus lessons that resulted in to AP College Board approval. As the published author of a standards-based, activity-filled Algebra I book, she has presented on her work at conferences and is completing a second text on fractions, decimals and percents. At the district level, she is a member of the pacing guide team for Algebra 2 and Math Analysis/Trigonometry. Kristin assists with the California Math League Competitions, has coached junior varsity soccer and varsity tennis, and is currently a long/triple jump track meet official. |
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Region 11
Kelly Gallagher
English Teacher
Magnolia High School
Throughout his 23-year career, Kelly Gallagher has helped thousands of students and teachers alike as a result of his deep knowledge of literacy and the best ways to improve the reading and writing skills of adolescents. His education career is laced with superlatives. Kelly is a well-known writer of three books on secondary literacy; a sought-after consultant who conducts staff development at the local, state, national and international levels; and a frequent keynote speaker at conferences. He co-directed the South Basin Writing Project at California State University , Long Beach , strengthening the writing instructional skills of area teachers. He was a teacher leader in the Reading and Literature Project at the Universities of California at Los Angeles and Irvine . Most recently, Kelly served as English coordinator for his large urban district, overseeing instruction for 32,000 students. But perhaps his greatest accomplishment is his most recent: giving up his district position to return to the classroom - specifically, one in a struggling urban school - because he missed working with students. He now combines teaching and consulting, helping young people and adults. |
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