Seven Los Angeles Unified School District educators were among 16 honored Friday as Los Angeles County Teachers of the Year.
“These educators are heroes who not only inspire our students to achieve excellence, but instill in them a lifelong love of learning,” said LAUSD Superintendent Michelle King, who began her career as a science teacher. “I congratulate these outstanding teachers and thank them for the difference they make in the lives of our students every day.”
The L.A. County Teachers of the Year from LAUSD are:
- Bootsie Battle-Holt, a mathematics teacher at Marina Del Rey Middle School, who has been teaching for 10 years.
- Marcella Deboer, an English teacher at Cesar Chavez Learning Academy and 17-year education veteran.
- Natalie Elliott, who teaches fifth grade at 92nd Street Elementary School and has been an educator for 10 years.
- Shannon Garrison, a fourth- and fifth-grade teacher at Solano Avenue Elementary School who has been teaching 19 years.
- Tricia Kalma, a fifth-grade teacher at Porter Ranch Community School, who has been teaching for 11 years.
- Isela Lieber, an English teacher at James Monroe High School who has been teaching for 10 years.
- And Matthew Waynee, a cinematic arts teacher at LAUSD/USC Cinematic Arts and Engineering Magnet, who has been teaching for 20 years.
Five statewide co-winners will be announced in October, and one will be selected to represent California in the National Teacher of the Year competition in the spring.
— City News Service