The Education Foundation of the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce recently honored specially selected Teachers of the Year for their outstanding work in the field of education during the organization’s 21st annual Teacher Tribute Hats Off To You gala dinner, held this year at College of the Canyons’ Performing Arts Center. Jim Backer, chairman of the Teacher Tribute lauded the teachers as being a vital force in the community.
“These outstanding teachers have been selected by their peers for providing excellent classroom instructions and for leadership in their schools in areas such as professional development, mentoring new teachers and technology,” explained Backer, who co-emceed the event with long-time Education Foundation supporter Carol Maglione. “Our schools in the Santa Clarita Valley continue to be considered in the top echelon of public schools in California.”
Among the speakers were Audrey Bryant, a third grade teacher at Wiley Canyon and veteran educator Kim Tredick, a fifth grade teacher at Sulphur Springs who was chosen as this year’s recipient of the $25,000 Milken National Educator Award.
Highlights from the Academy Award-styled event, included performances by Hart High School’s Sound Vibes show choir and the Sulphur Springs Elementary School choir. Marie Samuel, a sixth-grade student at Pico Canyon elementary school sang My Country ‘Tis of Thee. A documentary of all of the selected teachers produced by Valencia High School students was presented. Backer proved to be a good sport by participating in a tongue-in-cheek rendition of “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth grader,” as part of the fun. The event celebrated the valley’s outstanding teachers while earning some $15,000 for teacher grants and scholarships offered by the Education Foundation.
For more information call, 661-702-6977, or email info@scvcef.org .
photos by Gary Choppé