Lisa Downard, third grade teacher at Curie Elementary School in University City, has been named 2013 Educator of the Year by the La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary (LJGT) Club. Now in its 15th year, the LJGT Rotary’s Educator of the Year program honors four local teachers and/or counselors in recognition of their extraordinary contribution to students’ personal and academic growth.
This year’s three finalists are Daniel Rupert, physics and robotics instructor at The Preuss School at UCSD; Wendy Martin, third grade teacher at Zeta O. Doyle Elementary School; and Jenny Dohoney, history teacher at William H. Standley Middle School.
The winner receives a $1000 cash award; each finalist receives a $300 cash award; and all winners and finalists receive a personal plaque and perpetual plaque for their schools. La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary Club has awarded over $28,000 to winners and finalists since the inception of the Educator of the Year Award program.
Every year since 1999, the club has invited nominations from a pool of approximately 600 teachers and counselors in eight local public and private schools, grades one through 12. A panel of judges reviews the nomination materials, including supporting testimonials from colleagues, parents, students and staff.
“It is truly uplifting to read the heartfelt tributes to so many dedicated, compassionate professionals at all academic levels who give so much of themselves to guide and inspire our children,” says LJGT Rotarian Bill Busch, chairperson of the annual event.
About La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary Club La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary Club is an organization of nearly 100 enthusiastic men and women, united in fellowship to provide humanitarian service and build goodwill locally and globally. Chartered in 1986, this dynamic Rotary Club has completed dozens of projects to improve health, well-being and self-sufficiency in our community and abroad. Projects include: Polio Eradication, Operation Pendleton (refurbished barracks and meeting facilities at Camp Pendleton Marine Base); Afghanistan (built schools and computer centers); South Africa (water projects and healthcare for AIDS orphans). www.lajollagtrotary.org
