Out of the thousands of San Diego County teachers striving to instill a passion for lifelong learning, only nine are selected annually to receive a coveted Teachers Make a Difference Award.
In the 2007-08 school year, two of those nine award-winning teachers were from the Carlsbad Unified School District.
Michelle Malkind, who teaches at Hope Elementary School, and Rob Alper, who teaches at Jefferson Elementary School, received awards for the months of February and March, respectively. Please join with me in congratulating them!
The Teachers Make a Difference Award program is presented by the San Diego County Office of Education, KPRI 102.1 FM “Rock without Rules” radio and sponsors, including San Diego County Toyota dealers and Wells Fargo.
“Teachers can ignite a love of learning and enrich the lives of children,” said Magi Aguilar, KPRI award program manager. “KPRI looks for the most inspirational and incredible K-6 teachers to be honored with the award.”
The Teachers Make a Difference Award is special not only because it is given to an elite few, but also because recipients are nominated by students' parents.
Malkind goes the extra mile
Hope Elementary's Michelle Malkind teaches a special third through fifth grade class for students with autism. She was nominated by parent Chantal Graley.
“Michelle [Malkind] treats each child as an individual. She goes with their best learning style,” Graley said. “My son, Geoffrey, has been able to become independent and do things I never realized he might do. Michelle goes the extra mile.”
Make that an extra mile and a block. When the Graley family moved close to the school, Malkind walked Geoffrey home the first few days to make sure he was comfortable with his new surroundings.
Malkind said that working with her six students is a joy.
“Other people wake up and have to go to work. I get to go to work,” she exclaimed.
Alper makes an impact
Caroline Sinai said she placed her daughter, Erin, at Jefferson Elementary to take advantage of the school's International Baccalaureate magnet program. The globally oriented program is making a huge impact thanks to Erin's teacher, according to Sinai.
“There is so much diversity at Jefferson. Mr. Alper finds a way to make every child feel equal and encourages his students to learn from one another and respect each other's differences,” Sinai said. “He incorporates English and Spanish into his teaching so that language is not a barrier to students' friendships. Whether it's a cool science project like making solar ovens or an environmental walk to the beach, Mr. Alper is a great role model.”
Alper said he always strives to keep his students motivated to take risks, problem-solve, be curious and enjoy learning.
“If I'm successful at that, then the ultimate goal of forming a productive, free-thinking, caring and principled citizenship should be achieved,” he said. “Oh, and I try to keep it fun, too!”
Two teachers tackle their two different classes and challenges with equal dedication and creativity, finding what works to bring out the best in each student. We're proud to have people like Michelle Malkind and Rob Alper in our CUSD family.
In the 2007-08 school year, two of those nine award-winning teachers were from the Carlsbad Unified School District.
Michelle Malkind, who teaches at Hope Elementary School, and Rob Alper, who teaches at Jefferson Elementary School, received awards for the months of February and March, respectively. Please join with me in congratulating them!
The Teachers Make a Difference Award program is presented by the San Diego County Office of Education, KPRI 102.1 FM “Rock without Rules” radio and sponsors, including San Diego County Toyota dealers and Wells Fargo.
“Teachers can ignite a love of learning and enrich the lives of children,” said Magi Aguilar, KPRI award program manager. “KPRI looks for the most inspirational and incredible K-6 teachers to be honored with the award.”
The Teachers Make a Difference Award is special not only because it is given to an elite few, but also because recipients are nominated by students' parents.
Malkind goes the extra mile
Hope Elementary's Michelle Malkind teaches a special third through fifth grade class for students with autism. She was nominated by parent Chantal Graley.
“Michelle [Malkind] treats each child as an individual. She goes with their best learning style,” Graley said. “My son, Geoffrey, has been able to become independent and do things I never realized he might do. Michelle goes the extra mile.”
Make that an extra mile and a block. When the Graley family moved close to the school, Malkind walked Geoffrey home the first few days to make sure he was comfortable with his new surroundings.
Malkind said that working with her six students is a joy.
“Other people wake up and have to go to work. I get to go to work,” she exclaimed.
Alper makes an impact
Caroline Sinai said she placed her daughter, Erin, at Jefferson Elementary to take advantage of the school's International Baccalaureate magnet program. The globally oriented program is making a huge impact thanks to Erin's teacher, according to Sinai.
“There is so much diversity at Jefferson. Mr. Alper finds a way to make every child feel equal and encourages his students to learn from one another and respect each other's differences,” Sinai said. “He incorporates English and Spanish into his teaching so that language is not a barrier to students' friendships. Whether it's a cool science project like making solar ovens or an environmental walk to the beach, Mr. Alper is a great role model.”
Alper said he always strives to keep his students motivated to take risks, problem-solve, be curious and enjoy learning.
“If I'm successful at that, then the ultimate goal of forming a productive, free-thinking, caring and principled citizenship should be achieved,” he said. “Oh, and I try to keep it fun, too!”
Two teachers tackle their two different classes and challenges with equal dedication and creativity, finding what works to bring out the best in each student. We're proud to have people like Michelle Malkind and Rob Alper in our CUSD family.