GILROY—Fran Lopez of Gavilan College and Joan Miller of St. Mary School have been named as American Legion Gilroy Post #217’s Educators of the Year, the group announced this week.
Earlier, the post named Vietnam War veteran Joe Kline, of Gilroy, as its 2015 Veteran of Year. Kline will serve as Grand Marshall at Gilroy’s Memorial Day ceremonies and parade on Monday, May 25.
Miller is a 2nd grade teacher and vice principal at St. Mary. Lopez is the associate dean of dean of the Disability Resource Center at the Gilroy community college.
Nominated by Gavilan President Steven Kinsella, Lopez was singled out for her “individual efforts” to help student veterans.
Recognizing needs specific to students who served in the U.S. Armed Forces, Lopez created the college’s Veterans Resource Center to assist the men and women veterans attending Gavilan, according to her nomination letter.
“Mrs. Lopez raised the awareness of veterans on campus and identified activities that the college could participate in to assist veterans as they transited from military service to college life,” Kinsella wrote.
Specifically, she raised funds for the center, found space on campus for it and worked with the veterans administrator to provide veteran- appropriate on-campus services, Kinsella said in nomination the associate dean.
St. Mary principal Kimberly Shields nominated Miller for the American Legion honor.
“Mrs. Miller has high standards of achievement for her students and herself he is dedicated to her profession…” her nomination letter reads.
Miller has taught 2nd grade at St. Mary School for 14 years and before that taught 4th and 5th grades at Glen View Elementary School in Gilroy for two years.
Miller also teaches her SMS students the religious curriculum that prepares them for first Holy Communion and First Reconciliation, according to her nominating letter.
A graduate of San Jose State University, Miller earned her teaching credential from National University while working full-time and began her teaching career as a substitute teacher in Hollister.
In addition to teaching and vice principal duties, Miller is a qualified dyslexia screener and a tutor for the Susan Barton Reading and Spelling Program.
In the coming school year, Miller will serve as vice principal and will oversee the SMS resource program.
