MAKING THE GRADE: GUHSD'S 2009 TEACHER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES

Mike Love and David Bradford Selected to Represent GUHSD in Prestigious San Diego County Teacher of the Year Competition April 3, 2009 (El Cajon)--At its Governing Board Meeting on Thursday, April 2, the Grossmont Union High School District honored Teacher of the Year nominees from its represented school sites. These nominees are selected by their peers. A panel comprised of previous Teachers of the Year and District personnel selected two representatives from this distinguished group of nominees to be considered for the San Diego County Teacher of the Year competition. If selected to represent the County, the next step is the California State Teacher of the Year competition. GUHSD 2009-10 Teacher of the Year Nominees: French Language and ESL Instructor, Fulbright Exchange Teacher, PAR Consultant, French Club and French Honor Society Advisor Representing Grossmont High School Azita Mahmoudi English and AVID Instructor, PLC Leader, Staff Development and Literacy Coordinator Representing El Cajon Valley High School Jonathan LeMaster Special Education American Government , Economics and Study Skills Instructor Representing El Capitan High School Ben Davis English Instructor, PLC Leader, BTSA Support Provider and Yearbook Advisor Representing Granite Hills High School Carrie Gaeir Mathematics and Learning Center Instructor, former Coach, Class and Club Advisor Representing Monte Vista High School Leisa Petrie Special Education Inclusion Support and Peer Tutor Instructor, part-time Professor at San Diego State University and Club Advisor Representing Santana High School Liz Castagnera Mathematics Instructor, Faculty Advisor to PALS, Friday Night Live, AVID Site Team Member,former Class Advisor and Coach Representing West Hills High School Jamie Bean Science Instructor, Science Team Coordinator and ASB Advisor Representing Alternative Education Matt Farley The two GUHSD Teachers of the Year who have been selected to go on to compete at the County level are: Mike Love 2009 – 2010 GUHSD Teacher of the Year Representing Mount Miguel High School Mike Love is a Mathematics Instructor, who has taught at Mount Miguel for the past fifteen years.He currently serves as the Math Department Chair and served students in the AVID program for fourteen years. Mr. Love is the SAAB (Student African American Brotherhood) Advisor. SAAB “is a nationally chartered program that motivates young men of all backgrounds to commit to principles of accountability, pro-active leadership, self-discipline, and intellectual development.” Under his leadership, Mount Miguel became the first school in the nation to have a SAAB Chapter. Mike is a Golden Apple Award Winner who has worked with the Upward Bound Program, and in 2008, received the San Diego State University SAAB Distinguished Leader Award. David Bradford 2009 – 2010 GUHSD Teacher of the Year Representing Valhalla High School David Bradford is a Chemistry Teacher, currently in his twenty-third year at Valhalla. Mr. Bradford enjoys making his course relevant to student’s everyday lives. He says to be able to present the marvels of the natural world to his students makes it easy for him to get up each day and come to work. Mr. Bradford is a Golden Apple Award Winner, and has been very involved in the life of Valhalla, as an ASB and Class Advisor, Technology Coordinator, Digital High School Mentor, School Site Council Member, and more.