South Gate Teachers Honored with 'Teacher of the Year' Award

By Patch Staff

The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) honored 21 teachers with the 2013-2014 LAUSD Teacher of the Year (TOY) award.

“All of these award-winning teachers have been recognized for their exemplary and creative teaching, which helps make a difference in the lives of their students, their school and the community,” saind an official LAUSD statement.

Two of the teacher’s were from South Gate’s very own International Studies Learning Center. Below are there names and thoughts upon receiving the award as provided by the LAUSD:

Andrea Allen teaches Japanese, English, Reading (remedial) 180 and Drama at the International Studies Learning Center (High School) in South Gate.  A resident of Long Beach, she has been a teacher for six years.

·     “Sugoi! (awesome!) is what you will hear walking into my classroom.”

 Michael Todd Beiersdorf teaches Life Science and Health at the International Studies Learning Center (Middle School) in South Gate.  A resident of Pasadena, he has been a teacher for nearly 16 years.

·      “I am creating scientists and scholars.”

The following are two other teachers from the Southeast Los Angeles area who also attained this year’s the TOY distinction. The information below is also directly taken from the LAUSD statement:

Shawn Boone teaches English, History, Computer and Creative Writing at Global Studies and Technology (Middle School Community) –Orchard Academies 2C in Bell.  A resident of Long Beach, he has been a teacher for 12 years

·        “My students represent the growth and change of the global community.”

Daniel Gettinger teaches statistics, pre-calculus and algebra I at Huntington Park High School in Huntington Park.  A resident of Los Angeles, he has been a teacher for three years.

·      “I have committed my life to closing the achievement gap.”

Are you a student or parent familiar with any of these teachers? Congratulate them in the comments.