Region 1
Wendy Anderson
Art Teacher
Herbert Slater Middle School
Santa Rosa High School District

Wendy Anderson is a quiet leader and outstanding teacher who has impacted the lives of many students. For eight years her exciting and inclusive history courses, co-taught with a special education teacher, helped students at all performance levels learn to create and think critically about the human experience. Ten years ago, Wendy became the school art teacher and transformed the existing program from good to outstanding. She introduced projects that save money and resources while also challenging students to think differently. Expired textbooks become collages; wire and duct tape form modern art sculpture. Students in regular and special education congregate in Wendy's art room for classes and clubs.

Region 2
Lori Cottengim
Science Teacher
Shasta Lake School
Gateway Unified School District

Lori Cottengim is a gifted 20-year science teacher who truly understands young adolescents. Besides teaching science, she runs the mentoring program that links high school mentors to middle-level at-risk students, and leads the after-school math intervention program that helps struggling learners master the mathematics needed for algebra success. Passionate about science and student learning, she recently invested 150 hours in redesigning her curriculum to create standards-based lessons that engage students by addressing multiple learning styles and including technology such as an interactive whiteboard, streaming video and images to scaffold for understanding, and real-time graphing capabilities. Lori also advises the scrapbooking club, providing an emotionally safe environment for many students.

Region 3
Brandon Matsumoto
Mathematics Department Chair
Elizabeth Pinkerton Middle School
Elk Grove Unified School District

Twenty years into his career, Brandon Matsumoto's eyes still light up when he talks about new ways to teach. Brandon is both a leader and a learner. As a master teacher, he works with a student teacher every year and says the learning process is mutual. As the mathematics department chair, Brandon makes it a priority to align the curriculum, instruction and assessment practices of the entire department. His PowerPoint lessons make math come alive and are used school-wide. At department meetings, math teachers establish common pacing, compare instructional strategies, share assessment results, and plan instruction for the upcoming week. Under Brandon's leadership, the department is thriving.

Region 4
Ken Klieman
Social Studies/English-Language Arts Teacher
Bowditch Middle School
San Mateo-Foster City School District

Ken Klieman brings innovation, enthusiasm and professionalism to his classroom, teaching a standards-based curriculum and sending a consistent message to students: "think beyond yourself." He models and supports empathy development by getting to know his students, creating a safe space for them to share and take risks, and integrating diversity and character education. He builds student ownership of learning by personalizing instruction, making learning goals explicit, co-constructing rubrics, fostering student independence, and discussing assessment results. Ken gives every student a fresh start to experience success. Each month, his students take part in incentives such as campfire chats, beat cafes, novel reenactments, sidewalk chalk drawings, and college field trips.

Region 5
Seema Salgaonkar
Language Arts Core Teacher
Moreland Middle School
Moreland School District

Seema Salgaonkar has played a key role in helping close the achievement gap at her school. In her core and intervention classes, students benefit from newly-created standards-based curriculum maps and benchmark assessments, participate in high-interest and challenging lessons, and show evidence of learning through portfolio assessments. Differentiated lessons, literacy rotations and small group instruction occur daily. Seema is implementing a new program for accelerated students along with three colleagues. As a site leadership team member, she helped lead a change in school-wide focus toward student-centered, data-informed teaching and learning. For the district, Seema serves on the GATE and benchmark committees and leads professional development workshops.

CLMS State Educator of the Year

Region 6
Jeanne Hartman
Resource Specialist
Empire Elementary K-8 School
Empire Union School District

A 24-year teacher, Jeanne Hartman works with students with learning disabilities, supporting the needs of her own students through her position as a resource specialist while also contributing to the advancement of other students. Jeanne's wonderful manner when working with parents builds connections that reflect positively on the school and district. Recently, Jeanne had to transition from a closing middle school to our K-8 school. She still serves middle-grades students, but now shares in the joy that is kindergarten and the primary grades. Jeanne runs the Friday after-school homework and intervention class, and also leads a "no-excuses" after-school class for sixth-grade students to complete missing assignments.

Region 7
Elizabeth Alfheim
Social Studies/English-Language Arts Teacher
Reyburn Intermediate School
Clovis Unified School District

Elizabeth Alfheim is an outstanding educational leader. Her extensive knowledge of curriculum and teaching strategies allows her to provide her students with exceptional learning experiences in language arts, social science and intervention classes. For her school and district, Elizabeth has served at various times as department chair, history day coordinator, staff in-service instructor, AVID coordinator and teacher, standards benchmark writer, district BTSA support provider, and master teacher. She also lectures at the university level in classroom management and health education, because she believes that a key component to continued high academic achievement for all middle school students is taking an active part in the training of teachers.

Region 8
Dana Dahl
Technology Teacher
Patrick Henry Middle School
Los Angeles Unified School District

Dana Dahl is an early adolescent advocate with a solid understanding of the middle-level tenets. Consistent, focused and a natural leader, Dana goes out of her way to make things happen. As the coordinator of her school's technology efforts, she has transformed the school into an educational technology model. She introduced technology tools so that every teacher can engage students in 21st-century learning. When the school recently expanded to a seven-period day to provide intervention or electives depending upon student needs, Dana created a web-based student interest survey and then crafted an online system to assign students to their "success" class.

Region 9
Barbara Spinosa
Science Teacher
Vista Magnet Middle School
Vista Unified School District

To describe Barbara Spinosa in one word would minimize the impact she has had on the middle-level students at her Title I school, however "champion" depicts her efforts. Barbara has become a trusted voice among her colleagues and the administration. Her willingness to support those around her has provided a model for teachers and students alike. As a science teacher who is well-versed in educational technology, she has tapped tools such as netbooks and the online learning management system Moodle to engage students in science. By combining engagement, student-centered learning, rigor and high expectations, Barbara draws the best out of her students.

Region 10
Sondra Hodson
English Teacher
Cope Middle School
Redlands Unified School District

Sondra Hodson embodies all the characteristics of an exemplary educator. She blends the knowledge of a 22-year seasoned teacher with a deep enthusiasm for technology, leading to a classroom environment rich with focused discussion, critical writing activities, standards-based learning, blogs and wikis. She reads her students' writing with heart, and gives prompt feedback on every assignment. The results include consistently high test data, the devotion of her students, and a strong reputation as an instructional leader among her colleagues. One student said, "I love Mrs. Hodson. I am learning so much in her class, and I am able to be myself…now I see that I can do more, be better."

Region 11
Rochelle Stewart
Special Education Teacher
Serrano Intermediate School
Saddleback Valley Unified School District

Rochelle Stewart is an outstanding example of dedication and service to education. An enthusiastic and energetic teacher, Rochelle's compassion and advocacy for students of special needs is felt in all of the leadership roles in which she participates. She exemplifies the middle school concept and understands that students, especially middle school students, need to feel a sense of connectedness to school. She ensures her special needs students participate in all school activities including dances, spirit days, and events such as the Techno Fitness Fun Run. Rochelle serves on the school's leadership team, the School Site Council and the effective behavioral systems committee.