"On Aug. 11, the Los Angeles Unified School District honored 22 teachers at its Teacher of the Year Luncheon on the campus of the University of Southern California. It was an afternoon where Matadors stole the show.
Seven of the 22 Teacher of the Year honorees are California State University, Northridge alumni — Marcella Deboer '97 (English) M.A. '00 (English) , Tracy Johnson Elchyshyn '91 (Liberal Studies), Patricia Kalma '05 (Teaching Credential), Isela Jacome '00 (Teaching Credential), Diana Rivera '03 (Teaching Credential), Amber Willis '02 (Teaching Credential) and Brenda Young '02 (Teaching Credential).
"It shows that our long-term commitment to excellence is paying off," said Michael Spagna, dean of the Michael D. Eisner College of Education. "We're trying to produce the most effective teachers we can who will stay in the community, and that's exactly what we're doing.
"We're very excited about this," he added. "Anything that can bring cultural appreciation to teachers, we're all about, because they have the most noble profession and don't always get the kind of pats on the back they need."
The honored teachers were genuinely touched by the accolade."