Kirk Brown
Biology
and Life Science Teacher, Grades 11-12
Tracy Joint Union High School
Tracy, CA
Biographical Information:
It is no wonder that many of biology teacher Kirk Brown's students
at Tracy Joint Union High School in Tracy end up majoring in biology-related
fields in college. Mr. Brown not only ignites their interest in
science; he also provides them with the equipment and resources
to replicate current research being conducted by professional
scientists. Several of Mr. Brown's students have seen their work
published on such projects as identifying the cause of Stem Rot
Disease in rice or studying the carcinogenic effects of barbecued
foods. Mr. Brown created an integrated Agricultural/Scientific
Honors Academy at Tracy that is geared toward students interested
in careers in agriculture, horticulture, veterinary science, and
medicine.
Laurence Holguin
Principal
San Jose High Academy
San Jose, CA
Biographical Information:
Principal Laurence Holguin has significantly expanded learning
opportunities for his students at San Jose High Academy in San
Jose. Under Mr. Holguín's leadership, International Baccalaureate
(IB) teaching methodologies have been incorporated into all classes,
and new IB classes have been added. He has collaborated with the
local middle school to develop an IB program for grades 6-10.
To help incoming ninth graders make a smooth transition to high
school, he developed a program called Summer Bridges, which provides
intensive instruction in math, writing, and science. Mr. Holguin
has also partnered with San Jose State University to develop Spartan
Academy, a four-year program designed to help at-risk students
graduate and move on to college.
Linda McAlexander
Drama, Theater, and Video Teacher, Grades 7-8
Edison Computech Middle School
Fresno, CA
Biographical Information:
At Edison Computech, a math/science/technology magnet school in
Fresno, teacher Linda McAlexander pours her energy and creativity
into making the arts an integral part of her students' education.
Whether producing musicals, staging historical pageants, or writing
and publishing the school newspaper, Mrs. McAlexander's students
engage in learning that is both active and entertaining. At schools
and conferences across the state, she presents workshops on the
innovative video production curriculum she developed, "Lights...Action...Camera,"
which merges the visual and performing arts with video technology.
As a result of Mrs. McAlexander's efforts, the National Endowment
for the Arts has recognized Computech's fine arts program as one
of the best in the nation.
Barbara Simmons
Library Media Teacher, Grades 9-12
Channel Islands High School
Oxnard, CA
Biographical Information:
Barbara Simmons, librarian and library media teacher at Channel
Islands High School in Oxnard, was the driving force behind the
transformation of the school's library into a state-of-the-art
media center. To help teachers and students take full advantage
of the center's resources, Mrs. Simmons developed an automated
catalog that can be accessed electronically from each classroom.
She conducts a two-day library orientation course for incoming
freshmen, introducing them to the library's holdings and training
them to use the automated catalog. A mentor teacher and media
expert, she assists fellow teachers in integrating technology
into their curricula. Mrs. Simmons helps her students publish
CI Dimensions , a quarterly multimedia
magazine available on the school's computer network.
