Region 1
Marilyn Wheatley
Science Teacher
Santa Rosa Middle School

Marilyn Wheatley is an outstanding educator who brings enthusiasm and a passion for teaching to her campus every day. Marilyn loves what she does, and her students know it. In her science classroom and on campus, she reaches out to all students, celebrating the school’s diversity through a variety of efforts. She obtained CLAD certification in order to teach sheltered science courses to English learners and has led the after-school tutoring program for several years, working closely with students, staff, counselors and parents to ensure the success of the program. As the volunteer Safe School program advisor, Marilyn invests significant time in organizing the program in order to help create a safe and positive school environment. She was one of the first teachers on campus to participate in BEST training, and as seventh grade advisor, supports students through a variety of activities and projects. She is always willing to go the extra mile for students, whether she is leading a dissection of cow eyes, participating in a crazy game or rally, sponsoring a club, or working with other team members to design challenging and appropriate curriculum. Marilyn is a positive role model and an excellent teacher whose dedication is exemplified by her students-first philosophy.

Region 2
Kim McKenzie
Counselor
Sequoia Middle School

Kim McKenzie's open and friendly manner encourages students and staff to seek her opinions and advice. She is professional, collegial, enthusiastic and humorous, all of which are great qualities for a middle school counselor. Kim has made an intense commitment to the students and staff at her school over the 15 years that she has served as an outstanding teacher, counselor and coach. A science teacher for nine years, Kim developed a hands-on, minds-on pedagogy. Whether suctioning water balloons into a jar, building submarines, or amazing students with goo, Kim maintained an exciting curriculum despite teaching in a portable classroom with no water. She helped design the school's interdisciplinary team structure and worked with a math teacher to create a blocked schedule before it was in vogue. Having attained a master's degree in school counseling, Kim is currently pursuing her administrative credential and attending AB75 principal's training. Always supportive of the middle school concept, Kim has been a valued member of the school’s WASC, PQR, California State Leadership Academy, School to Career, and Carnegie teams. She is an active participant in yearly Conflict Management training. She has an individual nickname for 340 students, yet she still makes time to have lunch with her at-risk students once a month. Kim is a valued colleague and an amazing and inspirational educator.

Region 3
Monty Muller
Principal
Will Rogers Middle School

Monty Muller lives and breathes middle level education, leads with his heart and soul, and is an advocate for all students. During his 12 years as principal, he has made Will Rogers Middle School a place where students feel safe and staff members foster student achievement. Monty brings humor to the workplace, and students, parents and staff respect his honesty and vision. All who meet him know that students are the center of the school and students are in attendance to achieve academic excellence. He leads with direction and purpose, yet is not demanding or overly directive. The school has many special needs students and a bilingual center. Monty targets the master schedule and course offerings to provide every opportunity for all students to flourish. For example, as a result of increasing instructional time for English, the school’s API score rose 43 points last year. Staff members have returned his dedication, voting to adopt a seven-period day to increase core academic time and agreeing to work extended school days without additional pay so every student has enough time to learn. Additionally, the school’s character education program has received much media attention, and each school year closes with a barbeque for all students and their parents. Education is a way of life for Monty. As a colleague said, he is among the great educators.

CLMS 2003-2004
STATE EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR

Region 4
Kieran Forbes
History/Journalism/AVID Teacher
Canyon Middle School

Kieran Forbes is an outstanding educator who provides an innovative, creative and challenging curriculum to his students. His enthusiastic and caring attitude make him a popular role model for all students, and his tireless efforts have made great contributions in the school, district and community. Kieran’s video journalism class broadcasts a live, entirely student-produced, 10-minute show every school morning. The quality of the production amazes visitors, and several of Kieran’s former students have gone on to careers in video production. In his AVID class, Kieran implements teaching strategies that motivate students to achieve at higher levels than they once thought possible. University visits and guest speakers open up new possibilities for these students. He is active in both the school’s student diversity council and a community diversity council. A driving force for change at the district level, Kieran serves on the literacy, technology and assessment teams and helps the district implement programs to help all students meet the goals of No Child Left Behind. He presents frequently at state and national conferences; has been a department chair, team leader and mentor; has earned an administrative credential and a master’s degree; and has received many educator awards, including several regional Teacher of the Year awards. Kieran is loved and admired by students and deeply respected by his colleagues.

Region 5
Beverly Hooper
Social Studies Teacher
Dartmouth Middle School

All great middle school educators know that true learning comes from a fusion of head and heart. Beverly Hooper is one of these teachers. She exemplifies this belief each year as she sets out to capture the hearts and minds of her students. Each student is heard and respected in Beverly’s classroom. Students enter eighth grade hoping to have her as a teacher, and her former students visit almost daily for advice and support. To serve the school’s growing population of English learners, Beverly completed CLAD training and went on to become a district trainer for CELDT training and sheltered English strategies. Each summer, she organizes and leads a weeklong transitional program for at-risk, incoming sixth grade students. In her social studies classes, students build content literacy, integrate history with current events and learn about community service. Beverly motivates students throughout the school to collect, literally, tons of food for the Second Harvest Food Bank. As a team leader, she guides her team in designing interdisciplinary, standards-based units and adapting curriculum and instruction to meet students’ changing needs. As a mentor teacher, she assists new teachers in every aspect of their work. She also gives seminars to parents on parenting middle school students, and implements a successful drug and alcohol unit. Beverly is the consummate educator, and a true advocate for students.

Region 6
Crystal Nutcher
English/Language Arts Teacher
Ross Middle School

Crystal Nutcher demonstrates all of the characteristics of an educational leader. She constantly refines her curriculum, instructional techniques and assessment practices. Her dedication to students is readily apparent. Crystal has high expectations for every student, gives them a standards-based education, and uses assessment to guide her instructional decisions. She meets the needs of all learners through differentiation and is not afraid to ask tough questions when reviewing student data. In speaking with Crystal’s former and current students, it is easy to see how much her dedication pays off in the form of student learning, respect and admiration. She is a kind, caring teacher who often puts students’ needs before the needs of herself and her family. Crystal’s relationships with colleagues are also commendable. She has the ability to work with fellow teachers in such a way that develops teamwork, excitement and a “get the job done” attitude. One of her most notable accomplishments is the development and school-wide implementation of an accelerated reader program. As coordinator of the program, she coaches teachers, helps students with reading, and advises parents on the program’s goals. Literally years in the making, the result of this achievement is the development of a community of learners who are motivated to read and enjoy literature. Most importantly, Crystal makes a difference in the lives of children.

Region 7
Kathy Chambas
Principal
Yosemite Middle School

Kathy Chambas is an exemplary middle school principal. Her dedication is evident in everything she does. Throughout her 25 years in education, Kathy has embraced the opportunity to be involved in changing the face of inner-city education. In doing so she has tackled a big job, but she has built a strong community of supporters in the process. Yosemite Middle School is focused on the state frameworks and standards. A school with a mission, every classroom has posted standards and students are encouraged to know what standard is being mastered by each lesson taught. As a result of Kathy’s vision, staff members know that each and every interaction with students must accomplish a goal. An experienced middle level educator, Kathy continually seeks new opportunities to learn all she can about the middle school child. She implements the principles of Caught in the Middle and is devoted to the teaming approach to educate middle level students. Kathy is constantly researching middle level education and seeking staff development opportunities to increase her knowledge. She is considered a middle level specialist in her region and her advice is well respected. She has been recognized and honored many times, and has been named a Principal of the Year and awarded a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition. Kathy is devoted to enhancing the educational program for middle level students.

Region 8
Sharon Oved
Math Coach
Sutter Middle School

Sharon Oved is a quintessential teacher and mentor who makes math come alive for students and teachers alike. In 2001, she was assigned as a math coach to help Sutter Middle School improve its test scores, curriculum and instructional base. Since then, Sharon has used her knowledge of state standards and frameworks, plus a firm grasp of middle school reform tenets, to guide the school’s math department through a difficult transition. She knows how to assist others in obtaining desired outcomes while invoking the best attributes of teamwork and collaboration. A natural teacher, Sharon knows exactly what to do to architect a wonderful lesson, model it for teachers, and then empower the teachers to be successful. She espouses a standards-based approach and uses resources appropriately to add richness to the curriculum and enhance student performance. Responding to the school’s high percentage of English learners, she began demonstrating how to scaffold lessons for different subgroups, including English learners and special education students. Sharon also saw a need for consistent on-site staff development and created Feature a Teacher, a program in which teachers are videotaped teaching standards-based lessons and utilizing interactive strategies taught by Sharon so that faculty can learn from one another. Sharon believes all students can be successful and it is the responsibility of every teacher to facilitate student success.

Region 9
Julie Doria
Language Arts Teacher
Olive Peirce Middle School

Julie Doria is an exemplary educator. Ten years ago she developed Camp Peirce for Kids, a transition program for incoming seventh graders to help ensure their success in middle school. She now runs the four-day camp for 400 students each August. Once at the school, students in academic enhancement classes have a better chance of achieving their goals thanks to Julie’s development of new strategies to help them learn to set goals, prioritize responsibilities, and reflect on their progress. A member of her school’s language arts team, Julie provided leadership and training to all staff that resulted in soaring writing test scores for the school’s seventh grade students. She is the facilitator of the school’s vertical team dialogues. A teacher-trainer for Jane Schaffer workshops, Julie collaborated with the math and science teams, assisting them in rewriting their math challenge and Science Fair research paper guidelines. She continuously participates in reflective dialogues and observes and reacts to her teammates’ teaching. She jointly develops curriculum and assessment practices, shares lesson designs and materials, and is always looking for strategies to enhance the school’s continuous improvement efforts. Julie has been named Basketball Coach of the Year twice for her work with the girls’ basketball team. There is not one aspect of the school culture that has not been positively affected by Julie’s passion, commitment and dedication to students.

Region 10
Lee Haines
Academic Support Teacher
Shandin Hills Middle School

Once a successful general manager in the business world, Lee Haines switched careers and taught elementary school for five years. He then transferred to middle school, where he has positively impacted nearly every department at his school site. Starting as a physical education and family life teacher, Lee also served on district curriculum design committees. He then became a sixth grade math teacher, and began implementing new and exciting teaching strategies. His program was built around an aggressive pacing schedule, a peer tutoring program, standards-based curriculum, and accountability and assessment. As a result of the program, his student test scores consistently reached proficiency levels of 30 to 40 percent, well above state standards. This past year, Lee left the classroom to join his math department chair in implementing Lee’s Peer Success program throughout the math department. The early assessments have been outstanding, and student, teacher and district responses have been terrific. He is now focusing on improving the school’s language arts department, leading a committee tasked with improving student proficiency levels. The program he is developing will incorporate standards-based curriculum, grade-level sequencing, technology support, accountability, and many other elements addressed in Caught in the Middle and Taking Center Stage. Lee is an education visionary with the ability to lead students and staff toward a common goal.

Region 11
Lon Brunk
Director of Technology
ABC Unified School District

Lon Brunk holds the title of director of technology, but other titles apply as well: mentor, visionary, hero and friend. His nurturing attitude toward all ages of learners, established over decades spent in middle school classrooms, has helped make Lon a leader in educational technology implementation. An extremely popular and effective classroom teacher for years, he became the district’s director of technology when the position became available in 1997. Lon moved out of a student-centered classroom and into a student-centered office. After seeing the relationships Lon had built with students in the classroom, his new adult teacher and administrator students embraced him and supported him in designing a district technology plan that is state of the art. From writing grants to conducting site needs assessments and instigating passage of a local bond, Lon dedicated himself to enhancing instruction through technology. Lon has installed wireless networks, a staff development computer lab, email and voicemail service for every educator and more, all while saving the district thousands of dollars by boosting efficiency. Yet he has never forgotten that technology is a tool to support teaching and learning. Every administrator and teacher involved with Lon is inspired and comforted by his knowledge and personal approach. Lon’s vision and management have provided thousands of students with a technological bridge to the future.