Five local teachers will receive the 2008 Lori Petrick Excellence in Education Awards for their achievements in the classroom. Selected by the Palisades Charter Schools Foundation, the winners are Canyon School teachers Kellie Howard and Akimi Sujishi-Watson and Palisades Charter High School teachers Stephen Klima, John Rauschuber and David Schalek. ‘Teachers are often taken for granted,’ said foundation member Paula Leonhauser. ‘It’s a way of rewarding them for their dedication, time and energy.’ The award, given annually since 2003, honors the late Lori Petrick, who was a popular third and fourth grade teacher at Marquez and Palisades elementary schools, respectively. The teachers will each receive $2,000 and a crystal trophy during an afternoon ceremony at a residence in Pacific Palisades on May 18. Any educator who works within the Palisades Charter Complex for five or more years can apply for the award. Teachers must submit a 2,000-word essay or a 10-minute videotape explaining why their teaching methods represent the best practices in education and how they communicate high expectations to their students. This year, 17 teachers applied for the honor. Topanga Elementary teacher Paul Astin and Marquez teachers Laurie Salzman and Jean Vegas received honorable mention. A group of professional educators reviewed the applications and then visited the teachers’ classrooms. Merle Price, former LAUSD deputy superintendent, and Patty Lancaster, head counselor at Archer School for Girls, observed the secondary-school teachers. Terri Arnold, former Palisades Elementary principal, and Michelle Bennett, former Westwood Charter School principal, evaluated the elementary-school teachers. The secondary school judges wrote that it is apparent that Schalek, a physics and physical geology teacher, loves the subject he teaches. When they visited his class, he had the students involved in problem-solving exercises throughout the period ‘This teacher was a pleasure to watch,’ Lancaster wrote. ‘With a huge class (35) and a difficult subject ‘ everyone seemed engaged.’ Judges described Klima, an English teacher, as an excellent lecturer. They thought he related well to students, who responded to the questions he asked. In addition, ‘He applies content to historical context as well as present day,’ Price wrote. According to the judges, Rauschuber, a social studies teacher, engages students with current events. He also provides them with the support they need to achieve. ‘Wow, this teacher is an inspiration ‘ He is dedicated to his students learning and proficiency,’ Lancaster wrote. Elementary judges applauded Howard, a second grade teacher, for engaging students and having a classroom environment that reflects all subject areas. ‘Kellie is a very strong teacher,’ Bennett observed. Sujishi-Watson, also a second grade teacher, received praise for her instructional strength. ‘It was a pleasure to observe her interaction with students,’ Bennett said. Mark Snyder, board chair of the foundation, said he is pleased with this year’s selections. ‘The members of the foundation board believe there are many wonderful teachers in the community, and we want to do our small part in recognizing their efforts,’ Snyder said. (The Palisadian-Post will profile each winner in future issues.)
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