NEWS                                                                                   Walnut Valley Unified School District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                            880 S. Lemon Avenue

October 24, 2012                                                                Walnut, CA 91789

Contact:     

Kelli Gile, Office of Community Resources

(909) 595-1261 ext. 31204

 

WALNUT, CA--Walnut Valley teacher Jeanette Koh has been awarded a literacy award from the American Literacy Corporation.

She was among ten of educators from across the state honored with the 2011-2012 “Outstanding Contributions to Literacy Award” on October 21 at the Victoria Club in Riverside.

The nonprofit organization annually grants $2,000 awards to selected teachers in California and reading support personnel in grades kindergarten through eighth grade. Winners also receive a $500 grant to use for a reading related school event.

Koh has 20 years of experience in education. She was a classroom teacher and English Language Development (ELD) liaison at Maple Hill Elementary School in Diamond Bar since 1996.

“Jeanette coordinates our Primary Reading Intervention Program. She has a true caring for students and is an integral part of Maple Hill,” said Principal Nancy Stingley.

Koh has shared her specialized knowledge by providing staff development to district teachers in areas of reading instruction, comprehension strategies, balanced literacy and effective strategies on language acquisition.

“I believe that each child is a unique individual who needs a secure, caring, and stimulating atmosphere in which to grow and mature emotionally, intellectually, physically, and socially,” Koh said.

“Throughout my 20 years as an educator, I have helped students meet their fullest potential in these areas by providing an environment that is safe, supports risk-taking, scaffolds and challenges all learners and celebrates the strengths of every student,” she said.

 “The accomplishments of Jeanette Koh are endless.  Her pursuit to continue this path of excellence is remarkable. That’s why she has been given the nickname “Super Woman” at our school,” said Kelly Morris, a 3rd grade teacher at Maple Hill.

This year, Koh has been named the new Title 1 Coordinator at Vejar Elementary School in Walnut.

“Children have taught me to open my mind and my heart to the joys of our world.  Because of this, I will never forget how to smile with the new, cherish the old, and laugh with the children,” she said.

ALC holds the torch of literacy high as it aims to recognize teachers who significantly increase the literacy levels of their students and analyze and disseminate data from effective teaching procedures and share this information at literacy seminars, workshops and the website.

Vejar Elementary students practice forming sentences while singing to the tune of Farmer in the Dell with their teacher.  Shown: Colin Yang (photo ok), John Dominguez, Elisabeth Yick, and Dayna Huber. 

Walnut Valley Unified teacher Jeanette Koh has been named an American Literacy Award winner.