Rave ReviewsThese teachers in Napa Valley are the best in California! And we want to pat them on the back for just being great. Check here every month for a new set of colleagues to see what they are doing......
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May 2016
Analyn Stewart, Vichy, Resource Specialist
I became a special education teacher because I wanted to help give a voice to those who needed that extra layer of support. I volunteered in Special Ed classes as early as high school. My mother was a teacher as well. My favorite things about being a teacher are the connections I make with the students and their families and seeing the students’ joy when they are finally successful independently. I am proud of my school site because, at Vichy, the word Special Ed has lost its stigma. The focus has shifted to celebrating the strengths and successes, as well as seeing the beauty and similarities in all students. Almost daily, I am inspired by Christopher Ulmer who works with Special Books by Special Kids. He can be found on Facebook interviewing families and people with special needs to bring awareness and acceptance of all people. My own children ask to see his posts and enjoy following his posts.
I became a special education teacher because I wanted to help give a voice to those who needed that extra layer of support. I volunteered in Special Ed classes as early as high school. My mother was a teacher as well. My favorite things about being a teacher are the connections I make with the students and their families and seeing the students’ joy when they are finally successful independently. I am proud of my school site because, at Vichy, the word Special Ed has lost its stigma. The focus has shifted to celebrating the strengths and successes, as well as seeing the beauty and similarities in all students. Almost daily, I am inspired by Christopher Ulmer who works with Special Books by Special Kids. He can be found on Facebook interviewing families and people with special needs to bring awareness and acceptance of all people. My own children ask to see his posts and enjoy following his posts.
Shauna Kadel, Phillips, 4th grade
Alex Peters, my fourth grade teacher, is so amazing; he inspired me to become a teacher. Reading was my favorite subject in school because I loved how I could get lost within the pages of good books. I still enjoy reading, talking about the stories, and being in book clubs. As a teacher, I love to see my students find the key to unlock their own a love for reading. I enjoy teaching at Phillip because teachers socialize outside of school. We are true friends, not just colleagues. We are innovative working hard to keep up with latest and greatest programs available. Also, I met my husband here. In my free time I like to run 5k’s and coach Girls on the Run. I love to travel and have a goal to visit all 50 States; I have visited 41 so far.
Alex Peters, my fourth grade teacher, is so amazing; he inspired me to become a teacher. Reading was my favorite subject in school because I loved how I could get lost within the pages of good books. I still enjoy reading, talking about the stories, and being in book clubs. As a teacher, I love to see my students find the key to unlock their own a love for reading. I enjoy teaching at Phillip because teachers socialize outside of school. We are true friends, not just colleagues. We are innovative working hard to keep up with latest and greatest programs available. Also, I met my husband here. In my free time I like to run 5k’s and coach Girls on the Run. I love to travel and have a goal to visit all 50 States; I have visited 41 so far.
April 2016
Amy Salas, Donaldson Way, 2nd grade
A large part of why I got into teaching was because school was not a place that was comfortable for me when I was growing up and I wanted to create a different experience for kids. I enjoy developing long-term relationships with the families. I teach in the same town that I live and see the families in the stores, the park and at church. I want to be approachable. I get inspired watching my son grow and learn Being a mother made me a much better teacher. I am passionate about helping children to feel safe at school.
A large part of why I got into teaching was because school was not a place that was comfortable for me when I was growing up and I wanted to create a different experience for kids. I enjoy developing long-term relationships with the families. I teach in the same town that I live and see the families in the stores, the park and at church. I want to be approachable. I get inspired watching my son grow and learn Being a mother made me a much better teacher. I am passionate about helping children to feel safe at school.
Tina Reach, Canyon Oaks Elementary
I don’t really know what brought me to teaching except for the fact that I continually found myself working with children. I was originally attending UC Davis studying animal science and transferred to Sac State for Liberal Studies. I had some really great Language Arts teacher that brought the literature to life making it new. When I am not in the classroom I really miss my students, but enjoy spending time with my 6 year old daughter hiking and exploring together.
I don’t really know what brought me to teaching except for the fact that I continually found myself working with children. I was originally attending UC Davis studying animal science and transferred to Sac State for Liberal Studies. I had some really great Language Arts teacher that brought the literature to life making it new. When I am not in the classroom I really miss my students, but enjoy spending time with my 6 year old daughter hiking and exploring together.
March 2016
Stacey Ford, Silverado Middle School, Math
I have been teaching math for 14 years. It is exciting for me to see the “light bulb” turn on in my students. I work hard to change the negative stigma that so many students have about math. Math is so important! There is always on exact answer Kindness and empathy inspire me and I feel that my mother is the greatest example of both of these. I am also passionate about Pennies for Patients and raising awareness and funds to help find a cure for blood disorders. My first period class of students recently raised $1100 for my school’s Leukemia & Lymphoma Society drive!
I have been teaching math for 14 years. It is exciting for me to see the “light bulb” turn on in my students. I work hard to change the negative stigma that so many students have about math. Math is so important! There is always on exact answer Kindness and empathy inspire me and I feel that my mother is the greatest example of both of these. I am also passionate about Pennies for Patients and raising awareness and funds to help find a cure for blood disorders. My first period class of students recently raised $1100 for my school’s Leukemia & Lymphoma Society drive!
January 2016
Corey Morton. El Centro, 5th Grade
I'm only as good as my students make me after 15 years in the district. I love the child's eagerness to learn and finding difference in every child's approach. I'm most proud of the child that came to my 5th grade room a non-reader and by the end of the year, he was on grade level. I change the world 33 kids at a time---filling them with kindness, respect and making them good community members.
I'm only as good as my students make me after 15 years in the district. I love the child's eagerness to learn and finding difference in every child's approach. I'm most proud of the child that came to my 5th grade room a non-reader and by the end of the year, he was on grade level. I change the world 33 kids at a time---filling them with kindness, respect and making them good community members.
Lauren Reindeau, Bel Aire Park Magnet School, An IB International School
I first wanted to be a teacher in 4th grade when I was in Ms. Brinkerhoff’s class. She had a unique way of inspiring me and intimidating me all at the same time! I wanted to be her and was enthralled learning from her. But I also had a healthy dose of fear and respect that just made me truly in awe of her. I loved the feeling I got working with peers and being able to help them in class. I didn’t grow up with any family around me so we would always spend holidays and vacations traveling to other parts of the country. Learning about where my family came from, and then later my ancestors, was always really interesting to me. I LOVED reading maps as a kid and learned all 50 state capitals in 5th grade...and still know them. Not sure I should brag about that or not!
I first wanted to be a teacher in 4th grade when I was in Ms. Brinkerhoff’s class. She had a unique way of inspiring me and intimidating me all at the same time! I wanted to be her and was enthralled learning from her. But I also had a healthy dose of fear and respect that just made me truly in awe of her. I loved the feeling I got working with peers and being able to help them in class. I didn’t grow up with any family around me so we would always spend holidays and vacations traveling to other parts of the country. Learning about where my family came from, and then later my ancestors, was always really interesting to me. I LOVED reading maps as a kid and learned all 50 state capitals in 5th grade...and still know them. Not sure I should brag about that or not!
December 2015
Barb Totty, Napa Junction, 2nd Grade
My own love of learning and passing that on to the student is the reason I went into teaching. Being a mom and a teacher is why I'm here on earth. I love those light bulbs moments when a child realizes they get the concept that I'm teaching. My hardest struggles was when we took on that PBL journey. I was hesitant,dove in and now I love it. I most proud of the PBL presentation days when my students rise to occasion.
My own love of learning and passing that on to the student is the reason I went into teaching. Being a mom and a teacher is why I'm here on earth. I love those light bulbs moments when a child realizes they get the concept that I'm teaching. My hardest struggles was when we took on that PBL journey. I was hesitant,dove in and now I love it. I most proud of the PBL presentation days when my students rise to occasion.
Mike Riendeau, Napa High, Music
Having been in NVUSD since 2003, I serve an entire community of instrumental musicians across multiple genre of discipline using instrument techniques, multiple skill levels, with both English and Spanish speaking students. My goal is to help people learn to love music! Last year my seniors gave me a plaque that said music is not about winning a trophy- they got it! My first year was the hardest- walking into this program was a tough transition. I'm proud of the turn around and having the students accountable for what they need to do to change the world. I wish for our society to recognize the arts as having the same importance to a child as sports or business.
Having been in NVUSD since 2003, I serve an entire community of instrumental musicians across multiple genre of discipline using instrument techniques, multiple skill levels, with both English and Spanish speaking students. My goal is to help people learn to love music! Last year my seniors gave me a plaque that said music is not about winning a trophy- they got it! My first year was the hardest- walking into this program was a tough transition. I'm proud of the turn around and having the students accountable for what they need to do to change the world. I wish for our society to recognize the arts as having the same importance to a child as sports or business.
Kevin Cope, Silverado Middle School; Social Studies
I consider teaching like running a marathon. It does not matter what the other people in the race are doing because you are just trying to get a personal best time. After 17 years in NVUSD, you watch students have small struggles and successes over a course of a long period of time which ends up being very fruitful by the end of a school year. I would love to change our educational structure drastically within the school day. Technological advances could allow for students to work together on projects all over the world. Students should no longer be bound by walls in order to get the best services available.
I consider teaching like running a marathon. It does not matter what the other people in the race are doing because you are just trying to get a personal best time. After 17 years in NVUSD, you watch students have small struggles and successes over a course of a long period of time which ends up being very fruitful by the end of a school year. I would love to change our educational structure drastically within the school day. Technological advances could allow for students to work together on projects all over the world. Students should no longer be bound by walls in order to get the best services available.
