Seattle Schools Community Forum

Taeko Tashibu of Roosevelt High School in Seattle, who is a Japanese language teacher.  Congrats to Ms. Tashibu!  From Ed Week: According to the ACTFL, the Language Teacher of the Year takes on the role of spokesperson for the language-teaching profession, promoting the importance of teaching foreign languages and cultures. The current LTY is Noah Geisel, a Spanish teacher at East High School in Denver. (Check out his presentation on engaging students in cultural studies .)   This year's winner will be announced at the ACTFL's Annual Convention in Orlando, Fla., in November. In addition to administering the award, the ACTFL, a membership organization, provides professional development, certification programs, and language-education resources. It also offers scholarship and grant opportunities . The other finalists are three Spanish teachers and one Latin teacher.  

I knew it. I met the Washington State teacher of the year, Jeff Charbonneau, last week.  He was so impressive and I told him I wouldn't be surprised if he were one of the four national finalists.  And it was announced today that he is a finalist.   The National Teacher of the Year will be announced in April. Jeff teaches physics, chemistry and engineering at Zillah High School in Zillah, Washington (outside of Yakima).   They have 400 students.  After years of perseverance,  he was able to offer college-level classes.  In his classroom alone, students can earn 24 college credits.  What makes Zillah outstanding?  Despite a high minority population (Latino), the school graduates 96% of their seniors.