Natomas Unified’s new “Teacher of the Year” oversees an Inderkum High School classroom adorned with more than a dozen red, white and blue American flags, but his ability as an educator reflects yet another color: gold. ... Definitely gold.
Mike McKibbon received a surprise visit this week from Superintendent Chris Evans and Inderkum High School leader Heather Garcia, who informed him of his selection as the District’s top teacher for 2014-15, an honor depicting committed, collaborative, caring and exemplary service.
“I’m very proud of you and I’m very appreciative of everything you’ve been doing,” Evans said of McKibbon, who teaches American Government and Advanced Placement U.S. Government at Inderkum. “The kids love you.”
Garcia, in nominating documents, noted that McKibbon spearheaded and coordinates the California Early College Academy, which is a partnership between Inderkum and neighboring American River College that creates opportunities for students to graduate from high school with up to a year, perhaps more, of transferable college credit.
“Most importantly, Mr. McKibbon serves our Inderkum students at the highest level,” Garcia wrote. “His students routinely score high on the AP Exam, and his effectiveness in reaching all of our students across the spectrum is well documented. One piece of evidence that speaks to this is the fact that Mr. McKibbon has been elected four times by senior students to give the graduation speech at commencements. This is a testament to Mr. McKibbon’s ability to connect with and relate to our students.
McKibbon, who has served Natomas Unified for 17 years, said he is honored by his selection as District Teacher of the Year, which makes him Natomas Unified’s representative in a similar, countywide competition.
“It’s outstanding,” he said. “It’s kind of a confirmation that I’ve matured as a professional and developed the skills and rapport with students to be an effective teacher here.”
Asked what satisfaction he receives from the classroom, McKibbon said, “I love seeing students achieve. I get great satisfaction in preparing my students to be successful in college and career.”
McKibbon, in written answers to questions posed by the Teacher of the Year evaluation process, said that “a student in my class is educated, challenged, valued, and treated with dignity and respect. A student in my class will have fun, too.”
Garcia characterized McKibbon as someone who is “uncompromisingly committed to the teaching profession,” a team player and motivator who “uses his managerial skills, humor and relationships to reach all students.”
McKibbon said he decided to become a teacher while serving in the U.S. Army in the Middle East more than two decades ago. “I kind of did one of those self inventories,” he said. “And it dawned on me, ‘I think I’m built to be a teacher.’”
Clearly, he was right.
