Poway Unified Names 2011-12 Teachers of the Year

The Poway Unified School District announced its three award recipients for 2011-12 Teacher of the Year on Monday.

The three teachers—Lisa Casey O'Brien of Poway High School, Jo Ann Cooper of Twin Peaks Middle School and Julie Harris of Willow Grove Elementary School—were surprised with the news by PUSD leaders and the selection committee.

"It's always important to recognize our teachers; these three teachers serve as just that—a representative of all the great teachers we have in the district," Superintendent John Collins said.

The three teachers were selected from among the district's 1,500 school site teachers by a committee of past winners and school administrators.

According to the committee, all the teachers were selected for their learning programs and their positive impact on the students in the district.

O'Brien, a physics teacher, has taught at Poway High for 15 years. O'Brien has pass rates for her students at 96 percent for California Standards Tests and 93 percent for AP tests, according to a district press release.

"I let my enthusiasm for science show through, whether by parading around in my baseball cap signed by David Gross or by showing an online clip on a current topic in physics," said O'Brien, who wore her baseball cap signed by the Nobel Prize winner in physics after she was surprised by the award.

Cooper, who became teary-eyed during her surprise, has seen similar success among her Twin Peaks Middle School students.

"It's a tremendous compliment to me when a former student stops by my classroom, sends me a note or sees me around town and says that I helped them both learn and enjoy math," she said

Cooper has taught at the school for 11 years and told students and staff when she was surprised by the recognition that her dream was to become an algebra teacher at a Poway Unified school.

Harris, who said she'd call her mother and husband as soon as possible, completed the three award recipients.

Harris has taught fourth grade at Willow Grove since 2008 but has been with the district since 1986.

She said she considers herself to be the "Chief Dream Officer" when working with her students and is also the facilitator for "Teaching Children to Care," a specialized class for district students.

The three teachers will go on to compete against other teachers in the district in October as county officials select five San Diego County Teacher of the Year award recipients.

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