Veteran Martinez Teacher Honored

This year’s two newest Contra Costa County Teachers had many traits in common, loved by their students, very satisfied parents of their students, respect from their peers–and only a combined seven years of teaching experience between them. Thursday night, in an energy-filled and packed Concord Hilton banquet room, Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Joseph A. Ovick, Ed.D., announced Elizabeth Lanfranki, of Pittsburg Unified School District and Brian Wheeler of Martinez Unified School District as the county’s 2014-2015 Teachers of the Year.

Elizabeth Lanfranki has been an English instructor for just three years. Currently, Lanfranki is entering her fourth year in education, and third year teaching six-grade English at Martin Luther King, Jr. Junior High School, in Pittsburg. Lanfranki began teaching journalism, English support, and Newcomer ELD in the Chico Unified School District, right after earning her teaching credential and bachelor’s degree in liberal studies. As a Contra Costa County native, she wanted to come back home to teach, and took advantage of the job offer from her current school.

“Liz has the energy of three teachers,” says her principal, Angela Stevens-Stevenson. “I thoroughly enjoy watching Liz teach. Our scholars are happy learning in her class and she enjoys every moment that she is teaching. This is evident in the work produced. Her style is consistent and she uses best practices every day. Her enthusiasm and expertise has influenced other teachers to improve strategies and techniques to create the same successes in their classrooms. Liz is truly an integral part of our school’s academic and social success.”

Brian Wheeler is just a few weeks into his fifth year of teaching automotive technology to grades 9-12 at Alhambra High School, in Martinez. After working 30 years as a collision repair technician, repairing both the bodies and mechanical components of crashed cars, Wheelers wife, an elementary school principal in Fairfield, encouraged him to incorporate his excellent car repair experience and people skills into teaching. Soon after, he earned his BS degree in vocational education at Sacramento State University and obtained his teaching credential at U.C. San Diego and Touro University. Following his education and teacher training, Wheeler began working at Alambra High.

“Mr. Wheeler was without a doubt the single most influential and effective teacher I have had in my collective learning career,” says James Bailey White, a former Alhambra High student. “He is very aware of individual students’ needs and has always been able to convey his knowledge despite differing personality types and personal interests. He also has been able to intertwine core life lessons into his standard automotive curriculum, creating a very full, rich learning environment. He teaches students the benefits of being tidy, courteously communicating with adults, honesty, and holding themselves responsible for their actions. He sees no student as an enemy, and has always built excellent rapport with pupils, even with the most difficult ones.”

After both teachers being named Teacher of the Year by their school districts, last March, Lanfranki and Wheeler successfully proceeded with the other 16 eligible county candidates through a rigorous countywide selection process, which included an application screening, classroom evaluation, interview, and speech presentation. Their fellow finalists Michael Kleiman, Liberty Union High School District (Freedom High) and Karen Young, San Ramon Valley Unified SD, (Coyote Elementary).

More than 400 attendees were on hand for an evening that will certainly not be forgotten. The audience was made up of the TOYs’ family members and friends, as well as numerous local educators, business partners, and officials. Kicking off the festivities was an incredible acoustic percussion performance by the John Swett High School music department, led by 2013-2014 John Swett Unified School Districts Teacher of the Year Vincent Pitzulo. Dr. Ovick introduced the TOY class of 2014-2015 by sharing to the audience of his visit to each of the teachers’ classrooms, and the comments their students gave him about their teachers. This was followed by speeches of the four TOY finalists, their topic: “What I have learned from my students.” After the finalists’ speeches were given, Lanfranki and Wheeler’s announcement was made by Dr. Ovick.

Lanfranki and Wheeler will now compete with all the other county representatives in the California State TOY competition. The California State Teachers of the Year are expected to be announced in late October. The county TOY program is produced by the Contra Costa County Office of Education. (For additional TOY info, visit the CCCOE’s Teacher of the Year page).

--Information submitted by Contra Costa County Office of Education