Local Teacher Named California Teacher of the Year

An East Oakland elementary school teacher has been selected as one of five teachers of the year in California, state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced today.

Ann Park teaches writing and science to fifth graders at Greenleaf Elementary School at 6328 East 17th St., which is near the Lockwood Gardens housing project.

Park has been teaching for 25 years but has only been at Greenleaf for the past year. She previously taught at Melrose Elementary School in Oakland. School officials said that throughout her career Park has been active in the school community as a leader and team member, making collaboration a priority, encouraging teacher growth as a mentor and designing and facilitating many professional development workshops.

Park told state school officials that her fifth-grade classroom features robust discussion in which students enthusiastically use hand signals to express agreement and disagreement. Students agree by having their fists closed and arms up, moving back and forth, and disagree by crossing their hands back and forth across their chest.

Park said she employs a data-driven, student-centered approach to teaching.

Nyere da Silva, the Oakland Unified School District’s teacher coach, said in a statement, “Ann still truly loves teaching and the challenges that every unique class brings. She has an unwavering belief that every single one of her students can succeed and her high expectations are evident in all aspects of her practice.”

In her application for the teacher of the year award, Park said, “Teaching is an act of social justice. To be a teacher is to be an agent for change.” Park said, “It is a dynamic profession that promotes lifelong learning as well as ongoing challenges to analyze student data to drive our instruction and rethink our approaches to pedagogy so that all learners’ needs are met.”

Torlakson said in a statement, “The teachers we are honoring today are dedicated, energetic, innovative and very effective. Every day in the classroom they inspire students to learn, excel and realize their full potential. Their work provides a great example for other teachers.”

The five teachers of the year as well as the finalists and semi-finalists will be honored by Torlakson at a gala in Sacramento on Feb. 15.

--Bay City News