California Credit Union and Los Angeles Unified School District Announce 2018 "Rookie of the Year" Teacher Awards

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Aug 27, 2018, 13:00 ET

GLENDALE, Calif., Aug. 27, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- California Credit Union, in partnership with Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), recently honored 18 LAUSD teachers through its annual Rookie of the Year program. California Credit Union, which has served the education community with premier financial services for more than eight decades, created the Rookie of the Year program in 2015 to recognize first year teachers within the greater Los Angeles community.

California Credit Union and Los Angeles Unified School District celebrate “Rookie Teacher of the Year” Award winners on court during a Los Angeles Sparks basketball game at the Staples Center on August 5, 2018.

The 2018 Rookie of the Year teachers were selected based on key characteristics, including effectiveness in preparing and delivering instruction, providing a positive classroom climate with strong routines and procedures, adopting a dynamic and engaging teaching style, and showing high levels of professionalism.

"We are proud to honor each of the 2018 LAUSD Rookies of the Year for their outstanding commitment to finding creative ways to engage and educate their students," said California Credit Union CEO Steve O'Connell. "There's no question that teachers have a life-changing impact on their students, and we have the greatest respect for the commitment and passion of these new educators. We want to thank each of these new teachers, and congratulate them on a wonderful start to their career."

Representing elementary, middle and high schools throughout the greater Los Angeles area, the LAUSD 2018 Rookies of the Year are:

Winner	School	City
Evelyn Amez	New Open World Academy	Los Angeles
Lauren Cantu	San Gabriel Elementary School	South Gate
Monica Flores	Camellia Elementary School	North Hollywood
Gina Gray	Dymally High School	Los Angeles
Ramon Jacinto	San Fernando Middle School,	San Fernando
Sara Kert	Delevan Drive Elementary School	Los Angeles
Christopher Liberatori	Paul Revere Middle School	Los Angeles
Samantha Masti	Dominguez Elementary School	Carson
Brooke Moral	Roy Romer Middle School	North Hollywood
Yolanda Murillo	Wisdom Elementary School	Los Angeles
Osvaldo Noriega	Legacy VAPA High School	South Gate
Kristofer Ornelas	Grover Cleveland Charter High School	Reseda
Amelia Peck	Valley Alternative Magnet Span School	Lake Balboa
Gabriela Rincon	Maywood Center for Enriched Studies Magnet	Maywood
Marc Sahara	Los Angeles High School	Los Angeles
Charles Taylor	Burbank Middle School	Los Angeles
Arian White	Baldwin Hills Gifted/High Ability Magnet	Los Angeles
Dorothy Wms-Kohlmeyer	Patrick Henry VPA Magnet Middle School	Granada Hills

LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner said, "Our Rookies of the Year have selected an honorable profession that gives young people the strength and courage to learn and embrace lifelong learning. I hope our amazing honorees will be with the District for many years to come."

On August 5^th, California Credit Union hosted this year's 18 winners during a private ceremony at the Staples Center Rooftop Terrace attended by LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner, local district representatives, school principals and guests. The Rookies of the Year were then recognized on-court during the Los Angeles Sparks basketball pre-game activities.

California Credit Union created the Rookie of the Year program in partnership with LAUSD to acknowledge first-year teachers who have shown exemplary commitment to education. Teachers are nominated by school administrators, and winners are selected by a LAUSD committee and a credit union representative. Since the program began in 2015, California Credit Union has recognized 77 LAUSD teachers as a Rookie of the Year.

About California Credit Union
California Credit Union is a federally insured, state chartered credit union founded in 1933 that serves public or private school employees, community members and businesses across California. With more than 165,000 members and assets of $3 billion, California Credit Union has 24 branches throughout Los Angeles and San Diego counties. The credit union operates in San Diego County as North Island Credit Union, a division of California Credit Union. California Credit Union offers a full suite of consumer, business and investment products and services, including comprehensive consumer checking and loan options, personalized financial planning, business banking, and leading-edge online and mobile banking. Please visit ccu.com for more information.

SOURCE California Credit Union