April 2009

TO: School Principal

RE: 2009 LAUSD Teacher of the Year Campaign

Outstanding teachers use their professional skills and talents to make a difference in a student’s academic achievement and in a student’s life. LAUSD wishes to recognize its outstanding teachers by having them participate in the 2009 Los Angeles County Teachers of the Year Program (TOY).

The Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) invites school districts, charter schools, and professional organizations countywide to participate in the 2009 Los Angeles County Teachers of the Year Program. Based upon the prerogative given by the California Department of Education to LACOE regarding the number of nominees from larger school districts, the LAUSD is allowed a total of 22 nominees to the County Teachers of the Year Program.  Therefore, each local district is allowed to select two teachers. Adult and career education, early childhood, charter and special education divisions are allowed to select one teacher. Eligible candidates will apply directly to their local district/division.  Winners of the LACOE Teachers of the Year will then compete in the state competition.

Enclosed is short application package to ease our LAUSD teachers through the lengthy LACOE process. This streamlined information will be helpful for the teacher candidates in preparing for the full application materials for the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE). Deadline for submitting TOY nominee(s) to your local district/division is Friday, May 22 by 5 p.m.  Local District TOY Coordinators must then select two nominees to represent your district/division to the Office of Communications no later than Friday, May 29, 2009.

For your convenience, included are a three-page program description, application materials instruction checklist and application forms.  If you have any further questions, please call Monica Carazo, at the Office of Communications (213) 241-6766.

LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

TEACHERS OF THE YEAR 2009 PROGRAM INFORMATION

Background

The Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) invites school districts, charter schools, and professional organizations countywide to participate in the Los Angeles County Teachers of the Year Program for 2009.  This program pays tribute to Los Angeles County’s richly diverse teaching force.  Further, the program spotlights the positive aspects of our educational system.

Los Angeles Unified School District Teachers of the Year Program

Based upon the prerogative given by the California Department of Education to LACOE regarding the number of nominees from larger school districts, the LAUSD is allowed a total of 22 nominees to the County Teachers of the Year Program. Therefore, each local district is allowed to select two teachers to represent their district.  Adult and career education, early childhood, special education and charter school divisions are allowed to select one teacher from their division.  Winners of the LACOE Teachers of the Year will then compete in the state competition.

Eligibility Requirements

In keeping with the county and state’s eligibility requirements, the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Teachers of the Year Program is open to fully credentialed teachers from pre-kindergarten through grade 12.  Each public school district in Los Angeles County may establish its own internal process for selecting or nominating one or more exemplary teachers — their local Teacher(s) of the Year or nominee(s) — to compete in the Los Angeles County Teachers of the Year Program.

Library media teachers who collaboratively teach with classroom teachers are eligible to apply.  Teachers of adults are also eligible if they provide instruction in the same curriculum as those who teach in elementary or secondary grades.  Instructors who have some administrative responsibilities are also eligible to apply but only if teaching is their primary responsibility.

Selection Process

The selection process begins with the schools submitting to their local districts the names and applications of their candidates. 

The Local District or Division coordinators will evaluate the applications including obtaining the required signature from the local district superintendent/administrator. The evaluations will be based upon a balanced, critical, thoughtful and impartial manner from the aspects of: 

•Professional growth -- college-level education, professional development activities, in-service training, and record of teaching and related experience

•Commitment -- efforts to help colleagues enhance and improve their skills and strategies, involvement in educational development activities in the school and outside of school, and participation in civic and community affairs

•Personal attributes -- leadership and effective participation in group activities, creativity in approaching problems and challenges, and proficiency in communicating ideas clearly, concisely, and effectively

•Professional skills -- delivering a program of instruction and ongoing assessment based on state standards; using appropriate instructional strategies, methods, and materials to fulfill teaching objectives; providing timely and accurate assessments of student progress; communicating progress in a positive manner; using appropriate classroom management techniques that promote a suitable learning environment; modeling to students and parents a belief in the equity of all students regardless of gender, religious preference, economic status or racial, ethnic, or linguistic background; assisting students in developing effective interpersonal skills and positive self-images; and meeting a wide range of professional responsibilities for self-growth and the development of the educational community.

•In addition, the Local District/Division coordinators — will be looking at the way a teacher contributes to the teaching profession by way of how he or she:

comments publicly on issues and challenges facing the educational community

responds to local and general concerns raised in public forums

explains instructional programs and strategies, and how they benefit students

conducts demonstration lessons for colleagues

serves as a mentor teacher or recruitment resource for the district

Application Information

Please see the enclosed application materials. Coordinators should have all their applications by Friday, May 22, 2009 for review. The deadline for local districts/division to submit its Teachers of the Year package to the Office of Communications, must be postmarked mail or delivery in person, no later than:

FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2009

The deadline is driven by the schedule of the Los Angeles County and California Teachers of the Year Program. The Local District must send the original application package to:  Los Angeles Unified School District Teacher of the Year Committee, c/o Office of Communications, 333 S. Beaudry Ave., 24th Floor, Attn: Monica Carazo.

The teacher, principal and local district superintendent, must sign the application form. For more information, refer to the Application Materials/Instruction checklist.

Application Materials and Instructions

In addition to the required Application Form and the Application Cover Sheet each candidate must submit several required written elements as described below.  When preparing the materials, the following guidelines must be adhered to or the candidate risks disqualification:

Limit responses to the number of pages indicated.

Type, with 1 ½ spaces between lines and margins of 1 inch.

Use a 12-point font size and Times New Roman font style.

Please use the headings indicated below.  Essays must be presented in the order indicated, address the essence of questions, and avoid repeating information.

The document should be stapled. For your convenience, scanned copies of the Application Form and the Supplementary Information section for use with word-processing systems are acceptable.  

Each application package submitted to the local districts must include:

I.Personal Mini-Profile (up to 150 words), which includes a brief description of the teacher, his/her class, subject(s) taught, and the school.

II.Introductory Letter (Limit: two pages)

Note: This is considered a key part of the application:

¬Explain what it is like to be a student in your class;

¬Relate an inspirational vignette that illustrates an important aspect of education; and

¬Include a short example of an ideal real day and a less-than-ideal real day in your classroom.

III.Background Experience and Professional Development Activities (Limit: two pages) this should be done as a list or in resume-style format, but NOT as a narrative or traditional essay.

a.provide colleges and universities attended, including postgraduate studies, and dates of attendance and degrees earned;

b.list teaching history with time period, grade level, and subject area of each assignment;

c.list professional memberships, including information regarding offices held and other relevant activities;

d.list staff development activities, mentorship’s and training of other teachers that you have presented; and

e.list awards and other recognition of your teaching.

IV.Letter of Support.  Please include one letter of support from among the following:  principal, colleague, student, parent, or community leader.  Please do not include other materials, such as portfolios or press clippings.

For more information, contact Monica Carazo, LAUSD’s Office of Communications

at 213-241-6766 or monica.carazo@lausd.net.

Application Materials Instruction Checklist

Personal Mini-Profile

(150 words)

Brief description of the teacher, his/her class subject(s) taught, and school

Introductory Letter

(Limit: two pages)

•Explain what it is like to be a student in your class

•Relate an inspirational vignette that illustrates an important aspect of education

•Include a short example of an ideal real day and a less-than-ideal real day in your classroom

Background Experience and

Professional Development Activities

(Limit two pages)

Format: List or in resume-style format but NOT narrative or traditional essay

•Provide colleges and universities attended, including postgraduate studies, dates of attendance and degrees earned

•List teaching history with time period, grade level, and subject area of each assignment

•List professional memberships, including information regarding offices held and other relevant activities

•List staff development activities, mentorship’s and training of other teachers that you have presented

•List awards and/or recognitions

Letter of Support

Include one letter of support from among the following:

•Principal, colleague, student, parent, or community leader.

•Please do not include materials, such as portfolios or press clippings.

Important Dates:

May 22, 2009 -Deadline for Teachers to submit their TOY application package to their local district/division.

May 29, 2009 -Deadline for Local District/Division TOY representatives to submit their Teachers of the Year applications to Monica Carazo, Office of Communications.

May 27, 2009 - LACOE TOY APPLICATION WORKSHOP - LACOE Office, 9300 Imperial Hwy, Downey, CA. Room EC 107. 3-4 p.m. www.LACOE.edu/toy

June 11, 2009 - LAUSD TOY APPLICATION WORKSHOP - Office of Communications, 24th Floor, Room 152, at 4 p.m. 333 S. Beaudry Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90017

The following is a copy of the 2010 California Teachers of the Year Program Application Form.

LAUSD would like all applicants to use this form when submitting their application to the 2009 LAUSD Teachers of the Year Program.

Remember to include:

Personal Mini-Profile

Introductory Letter

Background Experience and Professional Development Activities

Letter of Support

Deadline for submission to Local District/Division is Friday, May 22, 2009