October 7, 2005

EVERGREEN SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS

Chaboya Middle School teacher wins Crystal Flame award

Moore is one of 30 recognized during Teacher Recognition Day awards ceremony

By Sheila Sanchez
Staff Writer

Sharon Moore, a seventh-grade social studies teacher at Chaboya Middle School in the Evergreen School District, recently received the prestigious Crystal Flame award from the Santa Clara County Office of Education.

Chaboya Middle School teacher Sharon Moore is one of 30 Teachers of the Year recognized by the Santa Clara County Board of Education for their classroom work and commitment to quality instruction. Photo by Sheila Sanchez"

“I feel wonderful,” said an elegantly-dressed Moore the evening of Sept. 26 when she along with 29 other educators was recognized as Santa Clara County teachers of the year during an awards ceremony at the historic Heritage Theatre in Campbell.

“I just received an e-mail telling me that I had been nominated and that I had won.

I was elated. I truly share this with the staff at Chaboya Middle School because we work together. It’s a wonderful group of staff members, administrators and classified employees. It’s not just me,” Moore said.

Moore has been teaching for 29 years. She began her teaching career in the Mt. Pleasant School District.

Moore was selected by the Evergreen School District for her ability to exceptionally communicate the subject matter to her students in an interesting, relevant and effective manner, using creative methods in classroom instruction, continually upgrading and updating her education through classes, training or staff development programs, participating in activities within the profession, keeping aware of issues and trends and encouraging professionalism, and serving as a champion for students, schools and community.

“Sharon is an experienced, dynamic teacher who demonstrates a daily commitment to students and the teaching profession. She consistently goes above and beyond… working tirelessly with new teachers as a support provider and coordinating the Community-Based English Tutoring Program for students,” wrote the district’s committee that selected her for the award.

Moore, in response, wrote: “It’s extremely important that students be an interactive part of their education. All students need to feel connected to the curriculum in hopes of acquiring the necessary skills to increase their academic achievement. To facilitate learning that leads to success, teaching to students’ modality and differentiating instruction is essential.”

The 2005 honorees teach every grade from kindergarten through high school, as well as special education and alternative school programs. Some have taught for as few as four years, others for as many as 38 years.

“These teachers epitomize excellence in classroom teaching,” said Colleen Wilcox, Santa Clara County schools chief.

“Their skill, creativity and commitment to success for every student makes a real difference and inspires their students and colleagues alike.”

Under the theme, “Remember your greatest teacher?” Wilcox said county education officials have always understood the importance of excellent teachers like Bill Golden, teacher of the year from the Sunnyvale School District, who came to Columbia Middle School when it had no music program.

A few years later, Golden is said to have motivated 250 students to perform in six choirs and instrumental groups. Monday evening, Golden’s advanced choir entertained the hundreds of teachers, school board members, superintendents and principals who attended the ceremony.

Besides the beautiful engraved awards, the Santa Clara County Federal Credit Union gave each teacher a $200 check for personal use and a $100 check certificate that can be applied to any County Federal account.

National Semiconductor Foun-dation also gave each teacher a $300 check for personal use. American Musical Theatre of San Jose gave each teacher show tickets and the San Jose Mercury News published a full-page Tribute to Teachers of the Year in its Sept. 25 issue.

Resource Area for Teachers, better known as RAFT, donated 30 RAFT memberships and each teacher walked away with bright red gift bags filled with free tickets to Paramount’s Great America, Children’s Discovery Museum, Computer History Museum and Monterey Bay Aquarium.

“Tonight we honor great teachers. Those who not only teach us the subject matter, but also inspire us and enable us to discover our passions and pursue our dreams,” Wilcox said.

Quoting Einstein, John Stuart Mill and Carl Jung, Wilcox said great teachers awaken the joy of learning, inspire young people to leave the world better than they found it and have an understanding heart and cannot be esteemed highly enough.

“In naming you great teachers, your school districts have shown the high esteem in which you are held, not only for exceptional classroom teaching, but also, in their words: for the sparkle you bring to students’ eyes, for energy and passion that help students succeed, for giving each and every child a chance to shine, for your unique ability to make each child feel that what’s being taught is just for them.

“That ability to make a student feel truly special and able is what wins a great teacher a special place in our hearts.”

Santa Clara County Board of Education President Leon Beauchman and many county education board members joined Wilcox in expressing appreciation to the honorees.

Wilcox also thanked the Santa Clara County Federal Credit Union for co-sponsoring the event for 11 years. Under the leadership of President and CEO Michael Delmonico, the credit union has been a generous and constant advocate for education. Wilcox also thanked National Semiconductor for co-sponsoring the event for the past seven years.

Diane Foote, president of the 6th District PTA, thanked and congratulated the teachers for their dedication to children.

“Not every parent has a high vision for their child,” Foote said, recalling how a counselor encouraged a girl with limited dreams to pursue a law degree—rewarding the educator with an invitation to her law school graduation.

“The actions of teachers are like pebbles. They’re little ripples that keep going out to everyone and every once in a while, you’re going to create a huge wave. That’s what is important,” Foote said.

Many state, city and county lawmakers also attended the event including Assemblyman Ira Ruskin and Santa Clara County supervisor Jim Beall.