HAYWARD -- A special education teacher in Livermore and a middle school mathematics teacher in Oakland have been selected as the 2007 Alameda County Teachers of the Year.

Linda Lamoureux, who teaches at Livermore High School (Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District), and Juliana Eileen Jones, who teaches at Montera Middle School (Oakland Unified School District) will represent Alameda County in the statewide teacher of the year competition.

“Juliana and Linda are superb teachers and are excellent representatives of the high quality of teaching that is happening throughout Alameda County, said Alameda County Schools Superintendent Sheila Jordan. “All 17 of our honorees understands that none of our disciplines stands alone.

The arts, technology, history, science, literature, physical education and, yes, even nutrition. It is so important that we teach across the curriculum.
And if we can help students make these connections we will, without a doubt, create a learning environment that truly leaves no child behind.”

Lamoureux has been teaching for 23 years, including 10 in her current position. A native of central Florida, Lamoureux has had a life-long love of reading and says teaching is “my absolute calling and the work of my life is to teach children who are not considered beautiful by our society. I am willing to take any student. I am not afraid of children who have committed crimes, who cannot speak, who drool on themselves, who need more.”
In her application, Lamoureax wrote, “The underlying philosophy in our classroom is not, `you have a behavioral problem or you are autistic, so you don’t have to do anything today,’ but rather you have a disability and you will have to work harder today. I will help hold you up until you can do it on your own.”

She is known for saying, “I used to teach English. Now I teach kids.”

Jones has been teaching for nine years, including six at Montera Middle School. In 2003, she earned National Board Certification in Early Adolescent Mathematics.

She’s known for her energy and for adding drama to highlight important mathematical concepts, such as hopping and skipping around the room.
She has also stabbed herself with a pen and fallen on the floor to help students remember that three to the second power is not six.

In her application, Jones wrote, “I love learning. I chose to be a teacher because in education, you must constantly be learning in order to be successful. I also wanted to do something that would be truly satisfying and intellectually stimulating.”

Jones and Lamoureux were among 17 teachers from around Alameda County who were selected their district’s Teacher of the Year. All 17 were honored at a public awards ceremony on Oct. 11 for their commitment and dedication to providing a quality education to all students.

Each of the 17 teachers received a commemorative crystal bowl engraved with their name; a cash award; a gift bag donated by Office Depot containing approximately $70 worth of school supplies; a $25 gift certificate to Lakeshore Learning Materials; and a family membership to the East Bay Regional Parks. Lamoureux and Jones also each received a field trip for their class to a watershed, compliments of the East Bay Municipal
Utility District.

The evening’s master of ceremonies was Charles Reynes, a science teacher in Castro Valley, who was the 2006 Alameda County Teacher of the Year and one of five California Teachers of the Year.

Entertainment at the ceremony was provided by the award-winning Cougar Cadet Corps, which is directed by Lester Dixon. Students are from four different schools in Alameda: Encinal High School; Chipman Middle School; Paden Elementary School; and Ruby Bridges Elementary school. Also performing that evening was the Chipman Chamber String Ensemble, directed by Tyra Ingram Cable, from Chipman Elementary School in Alameda.

Comcast was honored as Donor of the Year for its long-time support of
the Teacher of the Year ceremony. Each year, Comcast videotapes the
event and re-broadcasts it throughout the county. Bill Dodge, the East
Bay Manager of Local Programming, accepted the award on behalf of Comcast.

All 17 district teachers honored at the ceremony are (in order by
district):

• Steve Butler, Alameda
  County Office of Education (posthumously)
• Barry Arbreton, Franklin
  Elementary School, Alameda Unified School District
• Janet Steidel, Canyon
  Middle School, Castro Valley Unified School District
• Kimberly J. Baumann, Dublin
  High School, Dublin Unified School District
• Edward Velez, Centerville
  Jr. High School, Fremont Unified School District
• Irene “Rene” Brucker,
  Mission Valley ROP
• Alison Trumbull, Tyrrell
  Elementary School, Hayward Unified School District
• Linda Lamoureux, Livermore
  High School, Livermore Valley Jt. Unified School District
• Tracey W. Liebig, Alvarado
  Middle School, New Haven Unified School District
• Lauretta A. McCarthy,
  Graham Middle School, Newark Unified School District
• Juliana Eileen Jones,
  Montera Middle School, Oakland Unified School District
• Paul McDermott, Sobrante
  Park Elementary School, Oakland Unified School District
• Linda Gullick, Foothill
  High School, Pleasanton Unified School District
• Chuck Leming, John Muir
  Middle School, San Leandro Unified School District
• Tracy Vernon, Colonial
  Acres Elementary School, San Lorenzo Unified School District
• Susan Wiltz, Sunol Glen
  School, Sunol Unified School District
• Denise Merlin, Tri-Valley
  ROP