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The 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