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23 new teachers win ‘rookie’ awards to see Dodgers play Angels

Mike Szymanski | July 28, 2015



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RookieOfTheYearThe Rookies of the Year have been chosen among the LAUSD new teachers, and 23 of them will be going to the Dodgers play the Angels Sunday at Dodger Stadium.

The winners were selected from among 920 first-year teachers last year, 87 of whom were nominated by school administrators and new teacher support staff. The winners were picked by a committee.

The winning rookies will watch the game from a private box provided by Security Benefit, with Superintendent Ramon Cortines joining them — who knew he was a baseball fan?

“Our teachers are the essence of our great schools by inspiring our young people,” Cortines said in a statement. “They give their students the strength and courage to learn and embrace lifelong learning. I hope our honorees will be with the LAUSD for many years to come.”

The winners were picked for high levels of effectiveness in preparing and delivering instruction, providing a positive classroom climate with strong routines and procedures, a dynamic and engaging teaching style and high levels of professionalism.

The California Credit Union created the Rookie of the Year program in conjunction with Security Benefit to recognize educators within the greater Los Angeles community. This year’s rookies represent 16 elementary schools, one middle school, four high schools, one magnet school and one college preparatory school:

Emily Aguon, Second Grade, West Athens Elementary

Rosalinda Aleman, Fifth Grade, Franklin Ave. Elementary

Jasmine Allen-Matora, Special Education, 24th St. Elementary

Edgar Avalos, Special Education, Middleton Street Elementary

Rachel Axelrad, First Grade, Hillcrest Elementary

Sara Benyaminy, Kindergarten, West Hollywood Elementary

Jessica Blake, Third Grade, Trinity St. Elementary

Rigoberto Cruz, Sciences, Franklin High School

Alexander Dinh, Biology, Downtown Business Magnet

Cindy Flores, Kindergarten, Van Nuys Elementary

Jessica Garcia, Kindergarten, Wisdom Elementary

Teasha Gilliam, Fifth Grade, Dr. Owen Knox Elementary

Lorenzo Hidalgo, Special Education, Bridge St. Elementary

Maria Huerta, Fourth Grade, Saticoy Elementary

Melissa Ally Kim, First Grade, Weigand Elementary

Aja Koester, English,  Nava College Preparatory

Heidy Lopez, First Grade, Queen Anne Elementary

Kelsey Meek, Biology, Washington Preparatory High School

Jose Pillado, Special Education, Leichman High School

Julia Rosenmeyer, Kindergarten, 96th Street Elementary

Enrique Rodriguez LAUSD Rookies of the Year , Special Education, Sheridan Elementary

Robert Sears, Special Education, Cochran Middle School

Patrick Sherwood, Math, Humanities & Arts Academy at Narbonne High School

 

 

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