GILROY
– Ron Kinoshita, a Gilroy educator for 38 years, will be awarded
the district’s teacher of the year tonight.
The Santa Clara County Office of Education will recognize
Kinoshita along with 29 other teachers at the 34th annual Teacher
Recognition Day ceremony, held at the San Jose Repertory
Theatre.
By Lori Stuenkel
GILROY – Ron Kinoshita, a Gilroy educator for 38 years, will be awarded the district’s teacher of the year tonight.
The Santa Clara County Office of Education will recognize Kinoshita along with 29 other teachers at the 34th annual Teacher Recognition Day ceremony, held at the San Jose Repertory Theatre.
Kinoshita, a science teacher who began his career at the elementary school level and worked his last 20 years at Gilroy High School, retired at the end of last school year.
A committee including former teachers of the year nominated outstanding teachers in Gilroy Unified School District for the county award. GUSD teachers at each school site voted on the nominees and district officials approved Kinoshita for the honor. Kinoshita said he will humbly accept the award.
“I wish all teachers could get the recognition they deserve, they work so hard,” he said. “There are many, many teachers in the district who are just as qualified as me to get an award.”
Teachers selected for the award must demonstrate specific talents, including: communicating subject matter in interesting and relevant ways; being creative in classroom instruction; updating their own education; making a contribution to the teaching profession; and showing a sincere commitment to students, schools and the community.
Looking back on his 12 years at two elementary schools – Jordan and El Roble – as well his time at the high school, Kinoshita said students at both levels kept him on his toes.
“They both had their challenges,” he said. “And there’s a major difference: In elementary, you really get to know the students well because you have the student all year, for the whole day. But in high school you have so many students, it’s hard to get to know them personally.”
Although Kinoshita’s intent last year was to retire completely for one year before returning to teaching full-time, working at a reduced salary while receiving retirement benefits, he changed his mind after getting a taste of the easy life.
“I love teaching; I miss the students; I miss my colleagues, but what really changed my mind was that first week of (teacher) orientation …” Kinoshita said. As he watched GUSD teachers head off to staff development meetings and begin planning the year’s curriculum, he asked himself if he wished he were doing the same. “The answer was no. I’m really enjoying retirement, I’m able to do things I’ve neglected for the last 20 years.”
But that in no way means he can stay away from public education forever. Kinoshita has been substitute teaching at GHS and administering standardized tests to English language learners.
In November, he will return to GHS as a long-term substitute for two teachers who will be on maternity leave, teaching marine science and biology until the end of the semester.
He was recognized by being named Educator of the Year by the Gilroy Economic Development Corporation last December and delivered the keynote address at the GHS graduation ceremony in June.
The ceremony, which is black-tie optional, is open to the public. It will be held at the 101 Paseo de San Antonio theater from 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.
