Mt. Woodson’s Jennifer McSparran Is Nominee for Top County Teacher

Jennifer McSparran of Ramona’s Mt. Woodson Elementary School is among 42 public-school teachers to be honored at a black-tie, Academy Awards-style ceremony Saturday at Balboa Theater in downtown San Diego.

The top prize: being named one of five county Teachers of the Year.

In April, McSparran, a special education teacher, was named Teacher of the Year in the Ramona Unified School District.

The 22nd Annual Cox Presents:  A Salute to Teachers—sponsored by Ashford University and others—ultimately recognizes the county's 26,000 public school teachers, organizers say.

“Mrs. McSparran’s influence in the education of Mt. Woodson students reaches well beyond our special education students,” Mt. Woodson Elementary School Principal Theresa Grace was quoted as saying in the Ramona Sentinel.

“She has been instrumental in the development of our highly effective Response to Intervention Program, Student Assistance Team process and our current Turn Around Schools initiative. Colleagues seek her out for advice and assistance in supporting struggling or challenging students in their classes and she is always willing to help colleagues and students in need.”

“A successful classroom is one where all students are motivated and able to learn, regardless of social-economic status, ethnicity or disability,” McSparran said in her “philosophy of teaching” that she submitted to the district. “It is my hope that I can instill my enthusiasm for learning in every student, so that they too, become lifelong learners.”

Promoters say: “San Diego County school districts have nominated 42 of their best and brightest teachers, who were selected based on student achievement, teaching philosophy, familiarity with current issues in education and community involvement.”

Five Teachers of the Year will be announced during the live awards show.

These five will go on to compete for state and national Teacher of the Year honors. 

This year’s event will feature musical and dance performances by local students and videos that highlight “the wonderful work our local teachers perform each and every day,” promoters say.

The show will be on Channel 4 San Diego and in high definition on Channel 1004.

Among nominees for 2013 San Diego County Teacher of the Year are:

• Rick Brown of Carlsbad High School.
• Andrea Sleet of Del Mar Hills Academy.
• Brian McFadden of Ocean Knoll Elementary in the Encinitas Union School District.
• Elizabeth Lewellen of Pendleton Elementary School in the Fallbrook Union School District.
• Kristi Kettler of Murray Manor Elementary in the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District
• Melissa Armstrong of Lakeside Middle School.
• Kristin Alianelli of San Miguel Elementary in the Lemon Grove School District.
• Laura Griffin of Ivey Ranch Elementary School in the Oceanside Unified School District of Mission Elementary School.
• Luz Meza-Miller of Mission Elementary School in the Oceanside Unified School District.
• Megan Power of Del Sur Elementary School in the Poway Unified School District.
• Anthony Bayro of Los Penasquitos Elementary School in the Poway Unified School District.
• Martin Reisert of Oak Valley Middle School in the Poway Unified School District
• Joey Sutera of Carlton Oaks School in the Santee School District.
• Chandra Goodnough of Mar Vista Middle School in the Sweetwater Union High School District.

A complete list of the 42 nominees is attached.