Seventieth District Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell (back row, left) and State Superintendent Tom Torlakson (back row, right) honored local educators during a teacher appreciation day at Hughes Middle School last week.
“Few professions contribute as greatly to our society, carry as much responsibility or have the ability to shape entire lives than that of the classroom teacher,” said O’Donnell, chair of the Assembly Education Committee. “It is a tremendous opportunity to have everyone here to celebrate the men and women who dedicate their lives to educating our children.”
Hundreds of education advocates, former students and parents attended the event in support of the honorees who were nominated by members of their community, according to O’Donnell’s office.
The Hughes Middle School Jazz Band performed at the event, which also included remarks from special guest, California State Superintendent Tom Torlakson.
The 2015 Teacher Appreciation honorees included Karin Bruhnke, Jon Brunner, Grace Castro, Susan Garcia, Lori Heinze, Anne Hughes, David LaCharite, Jeff Montooth, Ida Moscoso, Linda Patton, Celeste Pena, Beck Peterson, Gail Schack and Linda Valenzuela.
Just prior to the ceremony, O’Donnell hosted a discussion with local education officials and Torlakson. Issues on the evolving policy and fiscal landscape in California’s education system were discussed in an effort to enhance classroom experience and student achievement, according to O’Donnell’s office.
“This meeting highlights the collaborative, student-focused relationship between the state and the local Long Beach education community,” said Long Beach School Board Member Megan Kerr. “Exchanging ideas on current policy issues with classroom teachers, school board members, legislators and our superintendent is critical to our shared goal of raising student success rates.”
Topics on the agenda included the implementation of the Common Core Standards, the economic future of facilities management and the mitigation of out-of-school factors impacting academic achievement.
Source: O’Donnell’s office
