Oct
7
Castaic Teacher In the News
October 7, 2006 |
This story appeared in The Signal Saturday October 7, 2006
John DeLemos, a Castaic Middle School eighth-grade science teacher recently nominated by his peers for “Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year”
DeLemos was subjected to intense observation, and rounds of interviews with members from the award committee, during the the nomination process.
Quoting DeLemos “There was a point where I kept thinking to myself, ‘why I am going through all this, and am I worthy?” DeLemos said.
During the process it was heartbreaking for DeLemos to learn that his former high school math teacher had passed away.
Quoting DeLemos, “He was someone who I would have wanted to tell about the award,” DeLemos said. “It was then that I realized I wasn’t doing this for myself; I was doing it for the people that nominated me, the people who I represent and the people I hang out with, my students. It gave me purpose, and it gave me momentum to go forward.”
One teacher from each school district in the county was selected to participate. From those 67 selected teachers competeing for the coveted award, the nominee pool was then narrowed to 16, leaving DeLemos in the top spot of educators in the area.
From the Signal “During award ceremonies last week at the Sheraton Universal Hotel in Universal City, DeLemos was honored - along with fellow Santa Clarita Valley area educators Laura Arrowsmith from the William S. Hart Union High School District, and Dawna Countryman from the Saugus Union School District - for having made the so called “Sweet 16.”
From the final group of 16 the teacher of the year will be selected.
The winner going on to compete for title of state teacher of the year, and eventually national teacher of the year.
Quoting DeLemos “It was amazing,” said DeLemos of the event. Just being around those teachers who were chosen was an absolute pleasure. Being in that crowd was a fantastic feeling.”
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