Seattle Public Schools is celebrating several south-end teachers who have been honored recently for remarkable achievements in their field, including Catherine Brown from Cleveland High School and Joe Olegario from Mercer Middle School, both on Beacon Hill, who picked up the 2008 Swain Excellence in Teaching Awards which recognizes the outstanding efforts of secondary school teachers in Seattle Public Schools, particularly those serving large numbers of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch.
The award – named after Philip B. Swain, a former Seattle School Board member and a public education advocate – honors teachers who have a powerful impact on students and who play exceptional roles as teacher-leaders among their peers.
Marjorie R. Lamarre, a fifth-grade teacher at John Muir Elementary School, was honored for making a positive difference in Washington state education during a February 25 broadcast of KCTS Television’s 2008 Golden Apple Awards. She received a Golden Apple statuette, $250 and $1,500 to support her classroom.
Marcia Ventura, fifth-grade teacher at Maple Elementary, was honored as The American Legion, Department of Washington, Elementary Teacher of the Year 2008, during a ceremony earlier this month. She received a plaque and $250 to use in her classroom. Ventura was recognized for the work she and her fifth-grade class did last year for their pen pal, Lance Cpl. Paul Craddick, who was serving in Camp Ramadi in Iraq. The class wrote letters and sent care packages to Craddick’s unit during the surge.
South-End Teachers Honored as Symetra Heroes in the Classroom:
- Amy Baeder, Cleveland High
- Carrie Hale, Kimball Elementary
- Darice Johnson, African American Academy
- Ann Kumata, John Muir Elementary
- Phi Ho Le, Orca K-8
- Mary Thompson, Beacon Hill Int’l
- Jennifer Watts, Franklin High School
Congratulations, teachers! Photos Courtesy of Seattle Public Schools
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I look at all the comments on violence and had to wonder why nobody acknowledged the teachers who are being recognized for helping a difference in our neighborhoods. They do it not for the money, because there isn’t any, they do it because they care for our children.
It is really sad many of us didn’t acknowledge these teachers and thank them for doing such a great job.
So, to all the teachers out there………..thank you. You are the ones on the battle lines making a difference in our community. We need you and our children need you.
Regards,
SSSL
Not sure if anyone saw the news today but apparently Seattle Schools are going to be laying off upwards of 170 teachers. This will probably impact the SE community. I hope we get vocal about the reductions.
SSSL
Just curious, has anyone read this story or does anyone know these teachers? They are the real heros in our neighborhoods. I’m continuing to post to this story in the event someone takes the time to read it.
SSSL
SSSL – You’re right, we all should be thanking our great teachers. I know Joe Olegario, and he is one of the best. Funny, committed, and willing to go the extra step for his kids. And he has given me great tips on how to interact with the middle school aged group ( I live by Aki Kurose), especially when they’re full of sass and vinegar. Smile, make eye contact, and be the adult, even when they’re bigger than you are.
“Smile, make eye contact, and be the adult, even when they’re bigger than you are.”
Love that.
The teachers are like the canary in the mine – if the canary died then the mine wasn’t safe. In our neighborhoods the teachers are a large part of our children’s future, if we lose them then we lose a great opportunity. When I started the Safer Streets for South Seattle Initiative one of the local Vice-Presidents commented they had a difficult time recruiting teachers into the southend. Not sure what we can do to help out the school district but we can’t afford to lose good teachers. Perhaps some of the money targeted for the Youth Gang Initiative could be allocated to Seattle Public Schools.
TLP – that is a great quote
Amber, thanks for posting this article.
It is sad people just skimmed over this posting.
Saw the story below on the news tonight and thought I’d share.
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_051309WAB-seattle-school-layoffs-LJ.206d03a6.html
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