San Ramon Valley Unified Announces Teachers of the Year

Announcement photo submitted by San Ramon Valley Unified School District:

On Tuesday, March 10, 2015, the San Ramon Valley Unified School District’s (SRVUSD) Board of Education recognized Sripriya Gopalan and Georgeann Kurtz as the District’s 2015-2016 Teachers of the Year. Gopalan is a science specialist teacher at Live Oak Elementary in San Ramon. Kurtz is an English Language Development teacher and program coordinator at Gale Ranch Middle School in San Ramon. Gopalan and Kurtz will represent the San Ramon Valley Unified in the Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year Program.

“We are fortunate in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District to have excellent teachers throughout our district. Sripriya Gopalan and Georgeann Kurtz represent the best of this teaching. Their daily dedication to their work has a lasting impact as their students graduate and go on to become the leaders, entrepreneurs and the work force of tomorrow,” said SRVUSD Superintendent Mary Shelton.

Both Gopalan and Kurtz come to the teaching profession as second career educators.

Previously, Gopalan enjoyed a long career as a project manager in the technology industry. Her background in engineering and technology continue to fuel her passion for making science exciting for students. She created the Live Oak Green Club to foster environmental stewardship, and she has worked with students in after school enrichment classes on Rockets, Imagineering, and Net Logo.

“Watching Mrs. Gopalan in the classroom is watching a teacher who loves what she is doing,” said Live Oak Principal Nadine Rosenweig. “Her students are happily engaged in the lesson because she brings her natural passion for science into the classroom and she involves them in activities that require
deep thinking. When students walk into the science lab, they become scientists.”

Kurtz is a former journalist who teaches Specially Designed Academic

Instruction in English (SDAIE) Core to 6-8 grade students in a magnet program for English Language learners. She works with her students outside of class as well, helping them to do research, create public service announcements, and present their findings to the community at such events as the school’s Tech Night fundraiser

“Mrs. Kurtz’s celebration of cultural differences within her classroom provides validation for her students. She connects and builds relationships, knowing each student’s background, family and needs,” said Gale Ranch Middle School Principal Sue Goldman. “She is the consummate student advocate and the kids in her class reap the benefits of her talents.”

Each year all Contra Costa County School Districts select Teachers of the Year. An expert committee, with representatives from education and the community, then chooses one of these candidates to represent Contra Costa County in the State Teacher of the Year Program.

Photo: SRVUSD Superintendent Mary Shelton, Georgeann Kurtz, Sripriya Gopalan and Board of Education President , Denise Jennison

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