Teacher of the Year Builds Global Classroom

In what she calls a "global society," 2011 Teacher of the Year Isabel Stern says a key to success is understanding the culture of others.

For more than 20 years at the high school, Stern has imparted exactly that through her English as a Second Language (ESL) course for all four grades. Stern has always liked to travel, and by teaching English to Hebrew, Russian, Spanish, Punjabi, Georgian, Arabic and Chinese speakers, she says she accomplishes that within her own classroom.

Stern calls the Teacher of the Year accolade "a validation of my career."

"I think when you are passionate about something, you do well at it," Stern says.