The L.A. County Teachers of the Year Competition

Top Area Teachers to be Named

16 Winning K-12 Educators to be Presented on Sept. 21; Contest is Biggest Honors Competition in the State

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following event is being announced by the Los Angeles County Office of Education:

WHAT: A total of 16 classroom teachers will be announced by education officials as the 2012-13 Los Angeles County Teachers of the Year, representing the profession's "best of the best" in the largest honors competition for K-12 educators in the state.

The "Sweet 16" – from a variety of school districts throughout L.A. County, including LAUSD – will be presented by County Supt. of Schools Arturo Delgado in a morning ceremony at the Universal City Hilton. The winners will serve as the standard-bearers for the county's 80,000-member public teaching corps for this academic year.  Each honoree has recently won the Teacher of the Year title for his or her respective district.

Current National Teacher of the Year Rebecca Mieliwocki of Burbank, CA  – described by Pres. Obama as a "national teaching treasure" – will be the keynote speaker.

WHEN: FRIDAY, SEPT. 21, 2012 — 10:00 to 10:45 AM

WHERE: Ballroom A, Universal City Hilton, 555 Universal Hollywood Drive, LA 91608

Media parking is available in the adjacent Sierra Ballrooms outdoor driveway.

WHY: To spotlight excellence in teaching and recognize highly effective and dedicated K-12 public school teachers.

HOW: Candidates were required to do interviews and submit essays, lesson plans and other materials to judging panels comprised of educator peers. The 16 L.A. County winners will automatically advance with other county titlists from around the state to the California Teachers of the Year competition this fall, with a chance from there to compete in the National Teacher of the Year contest next spring.

INTERVIEWS / VISUALS: 

The county announcement will feature the presentation of cash prizes and other gifts. Family members, fellow teachers, former students and school administrators will attend the event. The winners will be available for pre-and post-event interviews and photo opportunities.

To get a list of the Top 16 in advance or for more information, please contact Nimfa Rueda at (562) 922-6285.

SOURCE Los Angeles County Office of Education