TIEE Professional of the Year and Paraprofessional of the Year Awarded

Ken Johnson receiving his award for TIEE's Professional of the Year for 2009-2010 from Executive Director Suzy Fitch

TIEE’s annual kick-off luncheon was held on August 31. It combined an opportunity for staff members to learn more about TIEE’s health and other benefits directly from the providers’ representatives and it was, as it has been in the past, the time to introduce staff members from TIEE’s four schools and to fete staffers for extra-ordinary accomplishments over the past year.

Perfect attendance
Perfect attendance is essential to accomplishing the challenging goals for many students in TIEE’s schools and awards are handed out annually for perfect attendance. This year eight staffers were honored for one year of perfect attendance, four were honored for two years of perfect attendance, one for three years, and Chiharu Kitchens, teacher in COOK Education Center’s Secondary Program, was honored for a full five years of perfect attendance

Professional accomplishments
Numerous staff members accomplished professional goals during the previous year, including 12 who earned a Master’s degree and eight who obtained a teaching credential or added another credential. In addition to a Masters degree, Sheryl Bobroff obtained California certifications in Rehab Counseling and Supported Employment and Transition Services.

Kim Anderson accepting award for Paraprofessional of the Year for 2009-2010 from Executive Director Suzy Fitch

Kim Anderson is TIEE’s Paraprofessional of the Year for 2009-2010
Kim Anderson was chosen Paraprofessional of the Year for 2009-2010 based on video of her teaching and written documents submitted in support of her by members of the COOK Education Center’s Secondary Program team. Ms. Anderson was described as a “model teacher,” both for her students as well as for other staff members. She has displayed a dedication to all COOK Education Center students and has the ability to teach those with the most intense problem behaviors.

Ken Johnson is TIEE Professional of the Year for 2009-2010
Ken Johnson was chosen as TIEE’s Professional of the Year for 2009-2010 based on the videos of his teaching, his nomination documents submitted by the Urban Skills Center team, the recommendation he received from his students, and his achievements as a teacher in TIEE’s schools for over 10 years. Ken joins an elite group of 15 TIEE Professionals of the Year who are still employed by TIEE and, among whom, three have been awarded Teacher of the Year by national organizations.