Come the 42nd annual Teacher Recognition Celebration scheduled
Sept. 27 at the Heritage Theatre in Campbell, a Gilroy teacher will
be honored as one of Santa Clara County Office of Education’s
”
Teachers of the Year.
”
Come the 42nd annual Teacher Recognition Celebration scheduled Sept. 27 at the Heritage Theatre in Campbell, a Gilroy teacher will be honored as one of Santa Clara County Office of Education’s “Teachers of the Year.”
Charla Mittman teaches English at the Dr. TJ Owens Early College Academy, an alternative high school located on the campus of Gavilan College at 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd.
Out of 31 county teachers being recognized, Mittman is the only one from Gilroy to be honored with a “Teacher of the Year” award.
According to the SCCOE, school districts select their honorees based on each teacher’s dedication to students, classroom skill and commitment to life-long learning.
The annual Teacher Recognition Celebration is the oldest and largest of its kind in California, according to the SCCOE. County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Charles Weis will host the gala alongside Jessica Aguirre, NBC Bay Area News anchor.
“First of all, I would put the teaching methods of Charla Mittman up against any English teacher in the nation!” wrote GECA Principal Mary Ann Boylan in the nomination letter she compiled for Mittman. “I have been in the business for over 30 years, and she is in a class of her own.”
For three years and counting, Boylan said more than 91 percent of Mittman’s students have scored proficient or above on the English portion of their California Standardized Tests. All of Mittman’s students, Boylan added, have passed the California High School Exit Examination on their first attempt.
“Amazingly, some of those students were non-English speakers when they entered her classroom,” Boylan continued. “Some of the incoming ninth-graders had scored “Far Below Basic” when they entered, and after one year with her at the helm, they scored “Advanced” – raising their score over 100 points.”
Boylan went on to list a dozen facets highlighting Mittman’s strengths and classroom contributions, ending on the note: “All of this can be summed up in one simple thought. Charla Mittman is absolutely passionate about teaching and learning.”
