More Than Teacher of the Year, She's a Teacher for Life

Marilyn Schefski wasn’t always a teacher. In fact, her father discouraged her from going into teaching, suggesting that she pursue a career in business instead. But after a stint in the accounting world, she knew she had to follow her heart and teach, and for the past 10 years Schefski has been a fifth-grade teacher at Los Alamitos Elementary.

“I followed my dream and never looked back,” Schefski said. “I love it. I laugh and have so much fun every day.”

Her students are lucky she decided to pursue her passion, because the Los Alamitos Unified School District awarded Schefski the 2011 Teacher of the Year award Tuesday.

Schefski described the award as one of the biggest honors of her life.

“I am so moved, you have no idea,” she said as she emotionally accepted the award Tuesday. “They [students] mean everything to me. I tell all of my students, ‘Once I am your teacher, I am always your teacher. You never get rid of me.’”

Schefski’s dedication to her students not only means long hours of classroom preparation, but also an effort to expand her students’ knowledge by teaching them to use their hands and be creative through activities such as gardening and cross-stitching. All of the materials for these activities are purchased with her own money.

“It’s so important to use your hands; they are tools,” Schefski said. “Also, if your hands are busy, your mind is busy.”

Also part of Schefski’s teaching philosophy is enforcing rules and standards, which means some students see her as strict. Schefski is quick to tell her students, though, to not confuse being strict with being mean.

“When you hold students to a high standard, they live up to it,” she said. “It also builds self-esteem. They like working and knowing that they did a good job.”

One of Schefski’s students, Taso Spathopoulos, said he doesn’t mind Schefski’s strict teaching style.

“She doesn’t let stuff slide and holds us accountable,” he said.

Another student, Erika Benitez, said that from Schefski she’s learned “not to be lazy.”

“She wants us to get our work done, be nice and have good manners,” Benitez said.

Schefski and her students are proud of what they accomplish as the classroom walls attest. The colorful and eye-catching walls are lined with student work and Schefski’s degree and awards.

Now, Schefski will be able to add another award to her wall, an award that captures both her passion for teaching and dedication to her students.

Schefski was formally awarded the Teacher of the Year award at Tuesday night’s school board meeting. At the meeting, Los Alamitos Elementary was honored with other awards. Sunghie Okino, Los Alamitos Elementary School principal, was awarded the Administrator of the Year award, and Faith Jensen, Los Alamitos Elementary cafeteria supervisor, was awarded the Supervisor of the Year award.

Schefski says she is humbled by the award, particularly because she credits her success to the work of the district and her fellow teachers.

“I don’t think there can be a teacher of the year, I learn from everyone and they’re all phenomenal,” Schefski said.

The district and teachers’ efforts to put students first helps to create a collaborative environment, which in turn results in success in the classroom, said Schefski.

“There is an essence of teamwork between administrators and teachers,” Schefski said.

While Schefski is quick to highlight the work of others, her fellow educators believe that her extraordinary efforts merit recognition.

“She deserves it so much,” said Denise Fielden, a fifth-grade teacher at Los Alamitos Elementary. “She puts her whole heart into what she does and people even accuse her of living here because sometimes she’s here from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.”

Principal Okino said that Schefski “is a fierce advocate for her students and is the epitome of someone who truly believes that all children can learn at high levels.  

“Marilyn is an inspiration to us all,” Okino said. “As a professional and as a person, they just don’t get much better than her.”