NUSD’s Board of Trustees honored district “Teacher of the Year” Derek Dykstra and honorees from each campus in a brief ceremony at last night’s public meeting.
Dykstra is a Math instructor at Inderkum High. Campus winners were Jinder Chahal, Natomas Park Elementary; Leonard Finch, Natomas High; Shawn Gour, Witter Ranch Elementary; Norma Hernandez, Jefferson School; Stephanie King, Leroy Greene Academy; Tiffanie Lau, American Lakes School; Andrea Naten, Heron School; Nicole Swonger, Natomas Gateways Middle School; Jennifer Tammar, Two Rivers Elementary; Maria Villagomez, Natomas Middle School; Katelen Wammes, Bannon Creek Elementary; Cody Worrall, H. Allen Hight Elementary; and Marc Clark, Discovery High School.
Here’s what Assistant Supt. Angela Herrera said in recognizing the distinguished instructors at the Sept. 13 ceremony:
“The Board of Trustees is proud to recognize the Teachers of the Year and the 2018 District Teacher of the Year. As you may know, our Board of Trustees and District is committed to ensuring that each of our staff members be committed, collaborative, caring and exemplary. We ask that staff demonstrate caring through responsive and quality customer service. Each of our Teachers of the Year share our commitments and have contributed to the growth and success of Natomas Unified and I am honored to formally introduce each of them.
“This evening I will introduce each teacher who will then be presented with a plaque from the Board of Trustees and Superintendent Evans. At the end, there will be an opportunity for a group photo with the Board of Trustees. At this time, I would like to welcome NTA President Brenda Borge who will join the Board and Superintendent at the front to celebrate our teachers.
“Jinder Chahal is the Teacher of the Year for Natomas Park Elementary. Ms. Chahal, a 3rd grade teacher, has worked for the district since 2001. Ms. Chahal is described as a leader and mentor at Natomas Park Elementary, who brings College and Career readiness to her elementary students through participation in college field trips, career field trips and in planning school-wide events that promote lifelong learning. Congratulations and thank you!
“Leonard Finch is the Teacher of the Year for Natomas High School. Mr. Finch, an ELA teacher, has worked for the District since 1999. Mr. Finch, WASC leader and English Department Chair, is described as a leader at Natomas High School whose classroom teaching and management skills are the gold standard. Mr. Finch has exceptionally high expectations for his students, and they rise to the challenge. Congratulations and thank you!
“Shawn Gour is the Teacher of the Year at Witter Ranch Elementary. Mr. Gour, a Physical Education teacher, has worked for the District since 2003. Mr. Gour is described as a dedicated educator who always has his student’s best interests in mind with the ability to inspire and motivate all the students he works with. Mr. Gour’s lessons are grade level appropriate, follow the standards, and inspire students to make healthy choices in their lives. Congratulations and thank you!
“Norma Hernandez is the Teacher of the Year for Jefferson School. Ms. Hernandez, a 2nd grade teacher, has worked for the District since 2006. Ms. Hernandez is described as a teacher with outstanding positive teaching techniques with her way of interacting with students. Her peers are grateful for her dedication, which is reflected by the students in her classroom and the growth they have made. Congratulations and thank you!
“Stephanie King is the Teacher of the Year for Leroy Greene Academy. Ms. King, a Social Science Teacher, has worked for the District since 2015. Ms. King brings a broad skill set and knowledge of GATE strategies and practices to Leroy Greene Academy and her practices around the implementation of formative and summative assessment have helped to move the school’s shared practices forward. Congratulations and thank you!
“Tiffanie Lau is the Teacher of the Year for American Lakes School. Ms. Lau, a 3rd grade teacher, has worked for the District since 2006. Ms. Lau is described as a committed teacher with who cares deeply for her students. Ms. Lau is data driven and believes all student can and will learn. Congratulations and thank you!
“Andrea Naten is the Teacher of the Year for Heron School. Ms. Naten, 1st grade teacher, has worked for the District since 1992. Ms. Naten is described as a leader and mentor at her site who is not only open to trying new things, but actually seeks out innovative options to try in the classroom. She continues to have a great desire to try to create meaningful and authentic assessment opportunities for her students and all of the kids in first grade. Congratulations and thank you!
“Nicole Swonger is the Teacher of the Year for Natomas Gateways Middle School. Ms. Swonger, a Social Science teacher, has worked for the District since 2004. Ms. Swonger is described as a very dedicated teacher and leader on campus. She leads the student council, is the site’s WASC Team Coordinator and participates on the site’s building team. Ms. Swonger brings “lessons to life” for her students. Congratulations and thank you!
“Jennifer Tammar is the Teacher of the Year for Two Rivers Elementary. Ms. Tammar, a 1st grade teacher, has worked for the District since 2004. Ms. Tammar is described as a teacher who embodies all of the qualities educators strive to have. Ms. Tammar is a part of PBIS, Leadership, and is the EL coordinator at her site. She’s always accessible to her students, and their needs. Congratulations and thank you!
“Maria Villagomez is the Teacher of the Year for Natomas Middle School. Ms. Villagomez, a Special Education teacher, has worked for the District since 2001. Ms. Villagomez is described as a teacher whose relationships she has built in her class transcends not only teacher to student but also student to student. In fact, it is apparent in visiting in her classroom the respect the students have for each other. Congratulations and thank you!
“Katelen Wammes is the Teacher of the Year for Bannon Creek Elementary. Ms. Wammes, a 3rd grade teacher, has worked for the District since 2014. Ms. Wammes is described as a teacher who makes it a priority to establish a safe and positive learning environment where all students are on task and engaged with the subject matter. Ms. Wammes prepares her students to be college and career ready by establishing short and long term goals for her students. Congratulations and thank you!
“Cody Worrall is Teacher of the Year for H. Allen Hight Elementary School. Ms. Worrall, now a Teacher on Special Assignment, has worked for the District since 2015. Ms. Worrall is described as a problem-solver, go-getter, tech-savvy teacher who is always trying to learn more through various professional development. Congratulations and thank you!
“Marc Clark is Teacher of the Year for Discovery High School. Mr. Clark, an APEX teacher who was unable to attend this evening has worked for the District since 1991. Mr. Clark is described as a teacher who is constantly available to students and a team player who consistently maintains a calm demeanor. Congratulations and thank you!
“I am extremely proud to introduce Derek Dykstra as our District Teacher of the Year. Mr. Dykstra, a Math teacher at Inderkum High School, has worked for the District since 2014. Mr. Dykstra is described as a teacher who is committed to learning by doing and persevering as an educator for the benefit of student success. Mr. Dykstra leads Inderkum High School’s Link Crew program and has successfully integrated the concepts of “everyone succeeds together”. Mr. Dykstra’s peers have found him to be a friendly, reliable, cooperative and respectful teacher who leads by example. Congratulations and thank you Mr. Dykstra!
“Congratulations again to all of our Teachers of the Year!”
