The District's Top Ten: Teachers Honor Their Own

By Teresa Rochester

Santa Monica and Malibu teachers honored their own last week, selecting ten teachers from elementary, middle and high schools as 2000/2001 teachers of the year for their skill, talent, creativity and dedication to education.

Sharon Hart, a seventh grade Humanities teacher at Lincoln Middle School, was picked from the pool of ten as District Teacher of the year.

"It's overwhelming," said Hart, who left the advertising field to pursue teaching. "I know how hard everyone works. I'm very honored. I'm touched. I know how many great people are out there."

Hart was instrumental in spearheading an effort that resulted in Lincoln being selected as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence last year, a distinction that only one other school in the district shares. The award was bestowed on 198 schools around the country after an intensive and competitive application process.

Hart also is a member of Lincoln's site governance committee and mentors new teachers.

"All students, regardless of race, class, gender or religion deserve an education that stimulates, challenges and excites them," Hart said in a statement.

Along with Hart, nine other teachers were singled out for going above and beyond the call of duty. They include: Mimi Lichterman (SMASH), Sylvia Jimenez (Edison Language Academy), Joyce Keller (McKinely Elementary), Anne Payne (Point Dume Marine Science Elementary), Leslie Talt (Roosevelt Elementary) and Kate Castleberry, Veronica Garcia, Adrienne Karyadi and Lamonte Westmoreland of Santa Monica High School.

The Board of Education will honor the teachers of the year at its meeting Nov. 16 in the City Council Chambers at Santa Monica City Hall.