At the 2012 MiT Hooding Ceremony happy grads Robin Tuckett ’12, Kobi Wilson ’12, Kasinda Starmer’12, Justin Poland ’12
Loren Petty from the Master in Teaching Program, just sent around campus a lengthy list of Evergreen Master in Teaching alumni who have won awards in the last couple years. A brief scan brings the word “wow” mind:
Rob Cahill, MiT 2008, won the 2013 PK-12 Distinguished Educator of the Year Award from The Evergreen State College. Rob has taught math and science at Lakes Elementary in Lacey. In partnership with Thurston County Solid Waste, Cahill initiated and currently coordinates the “Food to Flowers” waste reduction program at Lakes. Cahill’s participation with the North Thurston School District math cadres and his dedication to his students’ have also earned him this recognition.
Pamelia Valentine, MiT 1999, was honored as the ESD 113 Regional Teacher of the Year (2013) by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). Pamelia teaches Visual Arts at Oakland Bay Junior High School in Shelton. Her principal stated, “Her classroom is truly a positive, safe and rich learning environment that provides students with educational opportunities well beyond the basics of visual arts. Furthermore, Ms. Valentine put students first, believes that all students can achieve at high levels, and does not give up on anyone, even those who have given up on themselves.”
2013 MiT Graduates
David Hunter, MiT 2011, has received national recognition for his Geography “Zombie Based Learning” curriculum. He has been featured on NPR, CNN and Amplify Education. He engages students in the work of real geographers through their interest in zombies. David teaches at the Big Picture School in Bellevue.
Carole Layton, MiT 1994, received recognition for her work as a dedicated teacher during the Champion For Kids Celebration. The celebration is put on annually by TOGETHER!, a Thurston County nonprofit organization “dedicated to engaging and mobilizing families, schools and the community to advance the health, safety and success of our youth”.
Angela Farley, MiT 1999, was named the 2013 Teacher of the Year for River Ridge High School in the North Thurston School District. This award is presented by the North Thurston Education Association and North Thurston Public Schools. Angela teaches English, Literature and Composition.
David Cheney, MEd 2011, has been recognized for his efforts in assisting his Math students in successfully submitting Collection of Evidences (COE) to satisfy their graduation requirements. David teaches at North Thurston High School in Lacey.
Alissa Niemi Heikkila, MiT 2007, had her classroom featured in a book about socially just teaching and she presented her instructional strategies at the National Council for Teachers of English and the Washington Association of School Administrators conferences. Alissa’s class was a model for creating interdependent learning communities and integrating social justice themes within literary analysis.
Tim Holman, MiT 1999, won the 2012 K-12 Distinguished High School Educator of the Year from The Evergreen State College. Tim’s nomination was based on his outstanding work with students and his dedication to bringing community members and important political figures into direct conversation with his students. Tim teaches at DuPont Manual High School in Louisville, KY.
Kate (Trafton) Hudson, MiT 2003, won the 2012 K-12 Distinguished Middle School Educator of the Year from The Evergreen State College. Kate is committed to helping others succeed and reaches out to new teachers. Her principal stated, “I cannot overemphasize Kate’s positive impact on the sixth graders in our building, her colleagues in the building, and the 5th grade math teachers in the district. She is a game changer and extremely valuable to the Olympia School District.” She teaches 6th grade Math and Science at Marshall Middle School in Olympia.
Janet O’Halloran, MiT 1998, won the 2012 K-12 Distinguished Elementary Educator of the Year from The Evergreen State College. Janet is completing her 14th year as an elementary teacher in the Olympia School District, currently working with 3rd graders at McKenny Elementary. Her principal stated, “What makes Ms. O’Halloran stand out in our field is her extraordinary skill and commitment with students, at the school level, as a District leader and in the larger political efforts of public education. On this respect, she represents the core values inherent to our profession and more specifically to The Evergreen State College’s philosophy of understanding the social relevance and responsibility of our work.”
Amada Lang, MiT 2005, was awarded Washington State’s Elementary Art Educator of the Year, 2012 by the Washington Art Education Association. Amada teaches art at Horizons Elementary in the North Thurston School District. She stated that her favorite part of teaching art is seeing her students’ amazement at their own ability and creativity.
Tamar Krames, MiT 2006, was named Educator of the Month for April 2012 by the Lakewood Rotary. Tamar teaches English Language Learners at Clover Park High School. Her principal stated, “Tamar exhibits a personable affinity with parents, staff and students. She represents herself as a strong role model for young women and men – many of whom do not have support at home, especially those who are struggling to learn a new language, a different culture, and rigorous expectations to graduate.”
Annie Soles, MiT 1993, was named “Teacher of the Year 2012” for Nisqually Middle School in the North Thurston School District. This award is presented by the North Thurston Education Association and North Thurston Public Schools. “ I love my job and am passionate about sharing my interests in biology and instilling a desire to learn more about our natural world,” Soles writes. “I have enjoyed exploring with my students the wonders of nature and challenges that we face in regard to our environment’s health.”
Sarah Applegate, MiT 1992, was recognized at the 40th Anniversary of The Evergreen State College by the Recreation and Athletics Hall of Fame. Applegate was the first All-American in Evergreen’s history; she swam with the Geoducks while earning both her undergraduate and graduate degrees. She is Nationally Board Certified and currently is the teacher/librarian at River Ridge High School in Lacey. Sarah received a Fulbright Award in Teaching in 2011 to study the education system in Finland.
Jerry Price, MiT 1995, teaches Social Studies at Yelm High School. He was named the 2011 Secondary Teacher of the Year for Yelm Community Schools. Jerry was selected for going “above and beyond” to contribute toward the mission and vision of the district in serving students.
Armin Antonio, MiT 2002, was named 2011 Teacher of the Year for Baker Middle School in Tacoma, where he teaches science.
Cecily Schmidt, MiT 2004, won the 2011 K-12 Distinguished Educator of the Year from The Evergreen State College. Cecily was nominated by her Dean of Students at Capital High School in Olympia where she teaches Art. This award was established in 2011 to recognize Teacher Education Programs alumni who are doing great things in the schools.
Hilary Davis, MiT 2007, a 5th grade teacher at McLane Elementary in Olympia, was recently awarded the 2011 “Champion of Differences” award from the Olympia School District. The award is given to an employee who teaches the value of diversity.
Kathy Blue, MiT 2009, of Woodbrook Middle School in the Clover Park School District, recently brought eighty 8th grade students to compete in an annual academic competition as part of the Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement (MESA) Day. Kathy’s students swept the wind turbine competition by winning all three awards for the middle school category and also won awards in Algebra, Pre-Algebra, Sail Cars and Straw Towers.
Ervanna Little Eagle, MiT 2004, was awarded the 2011 “Indian Educator of the Year” by the Washington State Indian Education Association. Ervanna teaches Language Arts at Tulalip Heritage High School. Mt. Vernon School District commended her work as helping to “bridge academics, culture, and hands on learning… together, these strategies help engage learners as never before.”
Jeremiah Tuckett, MiT 2006, was named 2011 Teacher of the Year at South Sound High School in Lacey, where he teaches science. This is the second year in a row that Jeremiah has received this award.
Well done MiT alumni and well done MiT faculty and staff.