As a high school chemistry teacher, Los Alamitos Unified School District Teacher of the Year 2014 Kathryn Currie describes herself as made out of potassium chlorate, phosphorus sesquisulfide, zinc oxide, wax, powdered glass, and a little wood—the ingredients of a matchstick.
Why. You might ask? She says it’s to light the fires of curiosity within her students. She believes curiosity leads to thinking and thinking leads to learning and curiosity cultivates a love of learning.
Currie has been a teacher at Los Alamitos High School for 27 years, with a total of 34 years in the profession. Some of her accomplishments include Science Olympiad Outstanding Coach, Oak Leaf Honorary Service Award, UC Irvine’s Outstanding High School Chemistry Teacher, and Harry J. Aslan Fellow High School Teacher of the Year.
She has been a New Teacher Mentor, Instructional Coach, WASC Chair, and Faculty Forum President and has served on numerous committees, such as Academic Council, District Curriculum Steering, and the District Science Committee.
“Mrs. Currie is one of the finest teachers and leaders I have ever had the privilege of working with,” said Superintendent Sherry Kropp, “She is simply spectacular. Los Alamitos Unified School District is proud to honor Kathryn Currie as our 2014 Teacher of the Year.”
Message from Dr. Andrew Pulver, Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources:
The 2014 Teacher of the Year nomination process begins in early 2013.
Every district submits their teacher of the year to the county department of education in early 2013. Each county reviews the various nominations and submits their finalist up to the State Department of Education.
By the time the State announces their Teacher of the Year it will be in the in 2014.
It is a year ahead because of the lead time from each district, to each county, to finally the state, along with the lead time for the various award banquets and recognition celebrations at each level.
