West Sonoma County Teacher of the Year Award
The Sebastopol Rotary Education Foundation, a tax-exempt 501c3 charity, has been recognizing outstanding teachers since 2007 with a cash award and a luncheon banquet in their honor. Students, alumni, parents, community members, and educators from across West Sonoma County are invited to submit nominations for the "Teacher of the Year" recognition program. Teachers from public schools (including charter schools) and private schools located in West Sonoma County may be nominated. Each "Teacher of the Year" receives a $1,000 cash award and is recognized, along with their guests, at a Sebastopol Rotary Club luncheon.
Our mission is to secure and annually distribute funds in the form of grants, scholarships, and educational equipment or materials. Philanthropic activities are exclusively provided for the benefit of students in Western Sonoma County. The Foundation was established as an ongoing Endowment Fund that directs funds each year for educational purposes.
Our mission is to secure and annually distribute funds in the form of grants, scholarships, and educational equipment or materials. Philanthropic activities are exclusively provided for the benefit of students in Western Sonoma County. The Foundation was established as an ongoing Endowment Fund that directs funds each year for educational purposes.
2018-2019 Awards
The Sebastopol Rotary Education Foundation (SREF) was pleased to honor Julie Aiello, Parkside School, Tim Forslund, Analy High School, and Amanda Reece, West County Consortium. All 3 were recognized at a Rotary Club of Sebastopol luncheon on Friday, April 12, 2019.
Julie Aiello
Parkside School
Sebastopol Union School District
Julie Aiello is marking her 30th year with the Sebastopol Union School District, currently teaching kindergarten. She has been teaching in the classroom since 1985. She applies innovative teaching approaches and techniques, with effectiveness in addressing individual student interests and needs. Julie recognizes the importance of integrating art, music & movement everyday. Anyone who walks into her classroom recognizes the balance of creativity and academics. She is always looking for ways to give each student the opportunity to demonstrate their learning through different modalities. .
Julie exhibits school leadership as she supports fellow teachers, helps with textbook adoptions, and actively contributes to staff meetings and events, She has mentored numerous student teachers over the years and is always willing to lend a hand- encouraging and supporting new teachers. Julie has been a part of the International Baccalaureate leadership team. She co-developed the academic Intervention Program for kindergartners having trouble learning letters/sounds and numbers. She is an art mentor for the school and also helps students extend learning through clubs and fields trips, always available to help students and meet with parents outside of class time.
Julie exhibits school leadership as she supports fellow teachers, helps with textbook adoptions, and actively contributes to staff meetings and events, She has mentored numerous student teachers over the years and is always willing to lend a hand- encouraging and supporting new teachers. Julie has been a part of the International Baccalaureate leadership team. She co-developed the academic Intervention Program for kindergartners having trouble learning letters/sounds and numbers. She is an art mentor for the school and also helps students extend learning through clubs and fields trips, always available to help students and meet with parents outside of class time.
Tim Forslund
Analy High School
West County Union High School District
Tim Forslund is described by his peers as a “stand out” teacher on the Analy Campus. He speaks out on issues that pertain to Social Studies and creates a dynamic learning environment for his students, rooted in current events and real world global concerns. Tim states -- I want my students to think of themselves as global citizens, understanding and involving themselves in local, regional, and global issues that have meaning to them. Through our studies, students should see the relevance, importance, and connections between our studies and their lives.
Tim participated as a Fulbright Classroom Teacher Exchange to Dunfermline, Scotland for 2011-2012 school year. He is a 2018 TEACH Bahrain Fellow and participated in a study tour to Bahrain for educational outreach. He is the recent recipient of the 2019 Carol Marquis Award for Global Understanding (California Council for Social Studies). Tim also is Co-Chair of the Sebastopol World Friends Student Exchange Program with Takeo City, Japan. He stays connected with the global studies community and supports his colleagues as a Teacher Consultant for the California Global Education Project. Tim is currently to create a multidisciplinary Global Studies Competency program.
Tim participated as a Fulbright Classroom Teacher Exchange to Dunfermline, Scotland for 2011-2012 school year. He is a 2018 TEACH Bahrain Fellow and participated in a study tour to Bahrain for educational outreach. He is the recent recipient of the 2019 Carol Marquis Award for Global Understanding (California Council for Social Studies). Tim also is Co-Chair of the Sebastopol World Friends Student Exchange Program with Takeo City, Japan. He stays connected with the global studies community and supports his colleagues as a Teacher Consultant for the California Global Education Project. Tim is currently to create a multidisciplinary Global Studies Competency program.
Amanda Reece
West County Special Education Consortium
West Sonoma County Union High School District
Amanda Reece is described as the Super Woman of the Special Education world. Her work as a credentialed and licensed Speech Pathologist functions as a vital part of a school. Amanda is a full time employee of the West Sonoma County Union HSD but works at Parkside, Analy, El Molino, and this his year is supervising an assistant provider that works at Park Side and Brook Haven and she is helping supervise an assistant that works at Apple Blossom and Twin Hills. That requires major organizational and diplomatic skills! Amanda is also a graduate of Parkside, Brookhaven, and Analy!
Amanda provides speech and language support primarily to West County’s most severely handicapped students, but to the larger population of students as well. She connects with others in a genuine, friendly and welcoming way that encourages a climate of collaboration and trust. Through her exceptional work ethic she provides a model for her speech team and other specialists that she works with. Through her warm and friendly demeanor, Amanda communicates a feeling of positivity to co-workers, parents and students. Nervous parents and students new to the world of special education, are quickly put to ease once they meet Amanda who expertly describes the unique facets of special education, speech and language development and her work with students.
Amanda provides speech and language support primarily to West County’s most severely handicapped students, but to the larger population of students as well. She connects with others in a genuine, friendly and welcoming way that encourages a climate of collaboration and trust. Through her exceptional work ethic she provides a model for her speech team and other specialists that she works with. Through her warm and friendly demeanor, Amanda communicates a feeling of positivity to co-workers, parents and students. Nervous parents and students new to the world of special education, are quickly put to ease once they meet Amanda who expertly describes the unique facets of special education, speech and language development and her work with students.
2018-2019Jolene Johnson, Dance Teacher, El Molino High School
Karen McKenna, 6th Grade English and History, Twin Hills Middle School Jeff Stucker, 6th Grade English and History, Brook Haven School |
2016-2017Kate O'Brien,Kindergarten, Sunridge School
Sara Gramm, 3rd Grade, Parkside School Adam Alcorn, Special Education, Analy High School 2015-2016Nicole Ellwood, Special Education Twin Hills Middle School
Katya Robinson, West Sonoma County Special Education Consortium Walt Hayes, Applied Arts & Technology, Analy High School 2014-2015Sunny Galbraith, Orchard View School
Greg Corby, Brook Haven School Mike Roan, El Molino High School |
2013-2014Mary Fitch, Physical Sciences, Twin Hills Charter School
Sarah Prosser, 4th Grade, Sun Ridge Waldorf School Lynn Stewart, English Language Learners, El Molino High School 2012-2013Andy DelMonte, Choir, Analy High School
John Thomas, English, El Molino High School 2011-2012Gianna De Persis Vona, English, Laguna High School
Rachel Lasek, Math, El Molino High School |
2009-2010Joe Compagno, Science, Analy High School
Vance Regan, Instrumental Music, Analy High School 2008-2009Bill Olzman, Social Studies/English, El Molino High School
Lynette Williamson, English/Rhetoric, Analy High School 2007-2008John Grech, Social Studies, El Molino High School
Cathy Wiese, Special Eduaction, Analy High School |