Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/792936
Parenting OC Magazine | March 2017 43 www.ParentingOC.com TOP TEACHERS OF ORANGE COUNTY Educator with Dedication Award Blaine Dunsmore Oakridge Private School, Orange When the 2015 "National Teachers of the Year" earned a summer trip to Space Camp, Ms. Blaine Dunsmore greeted them as lead instructor. At Oakridge, she has led the charge in STEM development, chairing the science committee and reorganizing the science curriculum to include a Google portfolio of grade level labs, curriculum-based model sequencing charts, and specialty labs with Bricks for Kids, a Lego engineering. She pushes for tech and science cross-curricular integration and how often do you fi nd a teacher with NASA Mission Control on speed-dial? She and her students are often found "Skyping" with astronaut friends. Ms. Dunsmore is also a contributing writer/blogger for McGraw Hill Education, the on-site volleyball coach for Oakridge, and a Teacher of English as a Foreign Language (TESOL) for the before school and afterschool tutoring programs. She offers afterschool "homework help" at no cost to families. Her love and compassion for her students shows in every lesson. Inspiring Educator of the Year Andrew Lewis VanDamme Academy, Aliso Viejo Mr. Lewis, an avid historian and philosopher, turned in his former Australian mascot costume for his signature daily suit and a tie. Dignity and vivaciousness, intellect and theatricality, gravity and joy – he is the sort of teacher students remember for a lifetime. His graduates feel like writing superheroes, due to devo- tion that includes his famous 3AM alarm clock, set to give him plenty of time to correct *every line* of his students' history notes. His students strive for smiley face stickers (collected avidly with pride) and the coveted, elusive "wombat stamp of approval" reserved for only the most perfect of achievements. From energetic afterschool water fi ghts, weekly theme days, allowing the students to pick his Halloween costume (this year: ELSA!), chaperoning the graduating students' Disneyland excursion, "tackle to the teacher" and piggyback rides for the little ones. Mr. Lewis has put heart and soul into teaching for decades, and he is eminently deserving of recognition. Educator with Heart Award Lori Rivera El Modena High School, Orange Engaging, inspiring, involved, inclusive, amazing. All of these words describe science teacher and de- partment chair Lori Rivera. She is the fi rst to volunteer and is a permanent fi xture at sporting events, school plays, poetry nights. Anything on campus, Lori either helped organize, or will attend. Lori is a member of School Site Council, Class Advisor, Girls League Advisor, and Yearbook Advisor. Last year, the district began a mentor program for students in foster care or suffering homelessness. Lori was the fi rst to sign up. She spent the majority of her summer break living in dorm rooms to chaperone ASB camp and Yearbook Camp. In her limited time off, she attended an Advanced Placement Institute and Project-Lead- the-Way training to bring biomedical science/criminal justice to El Modena. Her students follow the case of a fi ctional fatality throughout the year, with an end goal of determining a cause of death. She devotes endless extra hours to ensure students have the best possible high school experience. STEM Educator of the Year Mary Koga Brea Junior High School, Brea Mary Koga has a full understanding of Google Education, the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and has transitioned to Common Core Standards seamlessly. She actively reaches out into the community to fund projects for the entire science department, such as iPads, a 3D printer, and lab equip- ment. She has raised $7,000 with the Brea Education Foundation to fund and build an Outdoor Learning Terrace and Native Plant Garden between the math and science wings to provide an alternative setting to expand opportunities for student learning and engagement in math, science, and art. Mary is the Science Department Chair, district STEM Coordinator, on the district's STEM Ecosystem Team, is an Orange County Lead STEM Practitioner, and is a national presenter. For the past four years, has presented at the National Science Teachers Association (NTSA) conference in Chicago. Mary Koga's enthusiasm, passion, intelligence and leadership make her both an outstanding teacher and teacher leader.