Kern County Teachers of the Year

January 12, 2011

TO:          District Superintendents

FROM:      Division of Instructional Services
               Department of School-Community Partnerships
               Ann Georgian, Director

SUBJECT:  Kern County Teachers of the Year Program - 2010/2011

In February, Tom Torlakson will send a letter to every district and county office announcing the California Teachers of the Year Program for 2012. Following that directive the Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office is planning to support the process with (1) The Kern County Teachers District Nominations, (2) Kern County Teachers of The Year Program that will result in the selection of two exemplary teachers to represent our county at the state level, and (3) The Kern County Teachers of the Year recognition program. A reception will be held on May 12, 2011 at 4:30 PM to recognize all candidates, and to announce the two individuals and one alternate who will represent Kern County.

The Teachers of the Year program highlights educational innovation, student learning, and the rewards of teaching as well as attracting public attention to the positive aspects of our educational system.

The purpose of the California Teachers of the Year Program pays tribute to the tireless efforts of our County and State’s outstanding teachers.

The intent of the program is to:

  • identify and honor outstanding teachers throughout California;
  • select five teachers to serve as California Teachers of the Year for 2012 who will represent the state’s teacher and stand for the positive contributions of the teaching profession;
  • focus public attention on the positive accomplishments of California teachers and students;
  • identify one teacher for competition in the National Teacher of the Year Program.

The deadline to nominate a teacher for the county level of the program is February 23, 2011. On March 2,2011 the district nominees will meet with the Kern County Coordinator who will explain the next steps and review the application for Kern County Teachers of the Year and the California Teachers of the Year program. The Kern County Teachers of the Year application is due to the County Office by 5:00 PM on March 23, 2011.  A committee of educators and community volunteers will review all applications. Site visits will be made to the top candidates tentatively from April 11-28, 2011, excluding Spring Break.

The reception on May 12, 2011 will recognize all nominees and announce those teachers who will represent Kern County. During the summer months the candidates will complete the full state application and collect letters of support. The state application packet is due in Sacramento in early September of 2011. Ann Georgian, Director of School-Community Partnerships, will provide technical support for the teachers submitting the state application to help them complete the required elements of the application.

The application should reflect the ways teachers contribute to the profession, such as:

  • Commenting orally and in writing, both in person and through various media, on current issues and challenges that confront the educational community;
  • Respond meaningfully, thoughtfully, and concisely about concerns raised in public forums from local issues to general statewide problems.
  • Explaining specific programs, instructional strategies, or classroom activities that benefit the children of our state.
  • Conducting demonstration lessons, acting as a resource for colleagues and contributing to the recruitment efforts.

Both the State and County selection committees will examine each candidate’s application for the following aspects in a balanced, critical thoughtful and impartial manner:

  • Professional Growth
  • Commitment
  • Personal Attributes
  • Professional Skills

The California Teachers of the Year Program is open to all teachers in both public and private schools that teach pre-kindergarten through grade twelve. Library media teachers who collaboratively plan and teach with a classroom teacher are eligible to apply. Teachers of adults may apply if they provide instruction in the same curriculum as those who teach in either elementary or secondary school. Instructors who have some administrative responsibilities are eligible; however, teaching must be the applicant’s primary responsibility.

Each district in the county is encouraged to hold its own district-wide selection process and forward nominations to the county. Each county office is then entitled to select and send forward for consideration by the state selection committee, one teacher for every 5,000 teachers, which means that Kern County is eligible to send forward two names.

Below is a link for the Kern County Teachers of the Year Program - district nomination form.

Kern County Teachers of the Year-Nomination Form 2010-2011

If you need additional information please contact Ann Georgian at (661) 636-4522 or email her at angeorgian@kern.org.

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