Drama, math, outdoor education and chess are the themes of special programs in Sonoma County schools that have made the finals in competition for the 19th annual Jack London Excellence in Education awards from Sonoma State University. This year's awards ceremony will be held in the Cooperage from 4-5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 10 and one progam will be selected to bring home the coveted trophy.
The awards are given on an annual basis to a K-12 teacher who has made an exemplary contribution to education through development of an innovative educational program in a Sonoma County school.
The finalists for the Nineteenth Jack London Award for Excellence In Education are:
Forestville School Drama Program, Forestville School
Forestville Union School District
Coordinator: Noelle Huberty and Paul Huberty
Program Goal: To teach theater skills (singing, acting, and dancing) to 5th-8th graders, to provide art to the community, and promote parent and community involvement with the school.
Math Lesson Study, Kawana School
Bellevue School District
Coordinator: Nancy Rogers-Zegarra
Program Goal: To improve student achievement, the use of academic language and understanding of mathematical reasoning, through teacher collaboration.
Outdoor Education Program, Cali Calmecac Charter School
Windsor Unified School District
Coordinator: Richard Meza
Program Goal: To foster students respect and responsibility for the environment. Students participate in an annual restoration project through which they study the California State Standards in English Language Arts and Science.
Problem Solving Through Chess, Meadow/Corona Creek Schools
Waugh School District
Coordinators: Catherine Handford and Ann Frisch
Program Goal: To improve problem solving abilities of interested fourth-sixth graders by teaching them the game of chess, and challenging them to improve their strategic thinking capabilities
The awards program is co-sponsored by the California Faculty Association, the Sonoma County Educators Council CTA/NEA, the California Reading and Literacy Project, the Sonoma County Office of Education, and School of Education, and Sonoma State University.
