Temecula Valley High School

Temecula Teacher Finalist For National Honors

A Temecula Valley High School science teacher has been selected as a finalist from California for the  2011-2012 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson nominated Ziba Mayar, a biology teacher at Temecula Valley High School, along with five others from the state.

The national winners will be named next year by White House officials. The other science nominees are: Dean Andrew Baird, a physics teacher at Rio Americano High School iin Sacramento County; Ericka Senegar-Mitchell, a biotechnology teacher at Junipero Serra High School in the San Diego Unified School District and

The mathematics nominees are: William Conrad Thill, an Advanced Placement (AP) statistics and calculus teacher at the independent Harvard-Westlake School in North Hollywood, Los Angeles County; Kentaro Iwasaki, a mathematics  teacher and chair of the mathematics Department at Mission High School in the San Francisco Unified School District and Juliana E. Jones, an algebra teacher at Longfellow Magnet Middle School in the Berkeley Unified School District.

 “As a teacher, it is my honor to recognize these educators and the work they are doing to inspire students in mathematics and science, and prepare them for success in our technology-driven economy,” said Torlakson, a science teacher-on-leave from Contra Costa County’s Mount Diablo Unified School District.

“All six nominees have demonstrated a deep understanding of their respective disciplines.”

Each applicant had to demonstrate a mastery of math or science, the appropriate use of instructional methods and strategies, effective use of assessment strategies, employ life-long learning, and show leadership in education outside the classroom.

Each candidate was also required to submit a 45-minute video lesson in support of their applications

Mayar has taught high school biology courses since 2001 at Temecula Valley High School. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from San Diego State University and was selected as the 2011 Riverside County Science Teacher of the Year. Her video focused on DNA re-combination and used student coaches to instruct and support the learning of other students.

PAEMST is the highest recognition that a kindergarten through 12th grade math or science teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the United States.

Chaparral High School graduates “have no limits” :: The Valley News

To see Temecula Valley High graduation photos, go to http://myvalleynews.com/story/57006/

to see Vista Murrieta graduation photos, go to http://www.myvalleynews.com/story/57004/

To see Linfield graduation photos, go to http://www.myvalleynews.com/story/57007/

TEMECULA - At 5:30 pm on a warm Thursday night, seven hundred seniors gathered at Chaparral High School to sit collectively for their last time as students. The bleachers-both home and away-were packed and overflowing as parents and spectators sat in fold-up chairs on the field.

The ceremony initiated with speeches from the Class of 2011’s Senior President, Nina Grandin, and their ASB President, Andrew Jhons. The band played a traditional graduation song and the capped-and-gowned seniors took their seats on the field.  After Chaparral’s JROTC presented the colors and the school’s concert choir sang You Raise Me Up, the principal spoke.  With reassuring words, he reminded the students that this day was "a glorious day… [the students] are officially embarking into the larger society."

Susan Gonzales, CHS secretary, received the honor of "Employee of the Year" and Nicole Dayus was recognized as "Teacher of the Year." California Scholarship Federation, National Honor Society, Platinum Circle, and Avid students stood and accepted applause for their outstanding efforts.

Salutatorian Cory Pan began his lighthearted speech by referencing the song Friday, declaring that this day was special because, "Today is Thursday, and tomorrow is Friday… He spoke of a "magic" that resided within each student, comparing their journey through high school to the seniors’ recent trip to Disneyland, specifically, their ride on Space Mountain. Seniors laughed constantly at the popular references within the speech and parents cried once the realization of graduation hit.

Valedictorian Samaira Sirajee complimented Pan’s speech by speaking of a vulnerability that the Chaparral students will inevitably face in the future. Introducing a cheery element to her speech ("Blue is definitely [the CHS students’] color"), she reinforced that the students should never "tell [themselves] that [they] are not good enough."

As each individual student stepped to the stage to receive their honors, one could not help but notice how perfect the day was. The Chaparral students were carefree as they began crowd waves in their seats and even a conga line stepping up to the stage. "There are definitely a lot of amazingly talented and intelligent people in the class of 2011," Sirajee said of her fellow seniors. "And I’m not just saying that because I’m in that class. This [has been] one of the most competitive classes…  I’ve seen people in my class who have gone above and beyond what they’re required to do…nothing limits what they are capable of.

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