Nov. Teacher of the Month: Doug Ratliff, El Camino HS

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It's ceramics teacher Doug Ratliff, who is Carmichael Patch's Teacher of the Month.

Ratliff has taught art in the for 25 years, including eight years at El Camino, nine at Arden Middle School, one at and area elementary schools.

"We are a very strongly knit community and staff," Ratliff said of El Camino. "The kids come eager to learn; (art) is a chance for them to be creative."

Ratliff moderates a Raku club that teaches the ancient firing methods used by Buddhists.

He received an associate arts degree at American River College and a bachelor's degree, teaching certificate and a master's degree in art at California State University, Sacramento.

"The kids make my life," Ratliff said. "They give me energy; I like the spark in their eyes when they create something."

"I have anywhere from two to five ex-students a day visit to check in," he said.

Ratliff said he does his best to engage students in these days of iPods and Facebook.

"I've used a one-on-one interpersonal method in teaching," he said. "I allow them to express themselves to me and I'm more interactive with them."

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