Alameda Teacher of the Year: John Dalton

Alameda Unified School District has announced its 2014-2015 Teacher of the Year: John Dalton, a teacher of TV Media/ Digital Filmmaking at Alameda High School--

John Dalton, who has been teaching at AHS for seven years, was chosen for his passion for teaching, his dedication to the craft of media production, and his support of Career Technical Education.

“I have worked with many, many teachers in numerous settings during my career,” said Superintendent Sean McPhetridge. “But John Dalton truly stands out to me because of his hard work, his great people skills, and his natural talent to connect with students who want to learn how to express themselves using video and multi-media technologies.”

Mr. Dalton first started at AHS in 2007, when he was hired as a consultant to improve the AHS media program. Since becoming a full-time instructor in 2008, he has taught TV/Media, Digital Filmmaking, and MultiMedia Arts, as well as provided instruction in the school’s AVID program. For a number of years, he also organized “Project YouthView,” a Bay Area film festival that drew dozens of entries each year.

“Honored and Humbled”

Long an advocate of Career Technical Education, Mr. Dalton has worked to align his TV/Media program with Laney Community College’s film and video classes to create a smooth transition for high school students seeking to further their media career. He also developed, launched, and now manages the public/educational access television stations “NextGen TV Ch. 29” for AUSD and the City of Alameda.

“I couldn’t feel more ecstatic, honored, and humbled at the same time, and it’s unbelievable,” Dalton says. “It’s really the students that got me here, and this affirms that I’m doing something right by them. They have been AMAZING this year and continue to inspire me. I also feel great that by winning this award the Career Technical Education departments in the district gets some visibility and exposure, and that they play an important role in offering opportunities to students looking for post-secondary options. Really, what career could be cooler?”

In a recommendation letter, Alameda Mayor Trish Spencer praised Mr. Dalton for being “a teacher that thoroughly knows his subject, and also has that unending enthusiasm of teaching to encourage students to take his courses, push their limits, try something new, while supporting every student, of all strengths and abilities.”

In another letter, Pauley Perrette, who plays Abby on CBS’ NCIS and served as a Project YouthView judge noted, “You could not have a more deserving educator on your short list for Teacher of the Year. I have been friends with John for 15 years. His passion for his job, teaching, and his students is infectious and genuine.”

When asked what he loves about teaching TV Media/Digital Filmmaking, Dalton replied, “The students are always ready to learn and prepared to explore their creative instincts on a daily basis. They enter class ready to go! Their excitement and passion in their projects inspires me to push them further into their craft. It’s really a reciprocal sharing of ideas where both myself and my students can reflect on their project work and ask tough questions about what’s working and what’s not working in their films, and I love that students give honest criticisms about each others’ work without being dismissive or antagonistic.”

“I really get the feeling that they appreciate objective input without feeling judged,” he continued. “I don’t know many arenas where that kind of feedback is built into your daily routines.”

Giving “Again and Again and Again”

Nominees for Teacher of the Year come from parents, students, staff, and the community. After being invited to submit materials (including a resume and letters of support), a selection committee observes nominees in the classroom and then interviews them. Dalton will be formally recognized at the May 12, 2014 Board of Education meeting, along with finalists Sarah Hinds (Edison), Terry Eichel (Lincoln), and Gene Kahane (Encinal). Next fall, he will compete to become Alameda County Teacher of the Year.

“Mr. Dalton has always derived professional satisfaction and garnered well-earned respect from colleagues for establishing audacious goals for himself and challenging the students he serves to higher expectations of performance also,” Superintendent McPhetridge says. “These are but a few examples of how John has given again and again and again to provide students opportunities to find their voices as they learn to tell stories and make meaning of their lived experiences, in and out of school.”