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Teacher Recognition
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Wilson K-8 recognized for its Healthy Bodies and Healthy Minds
The Physical Education staff at Wilson K-8 School has been awarded the “2008 Healthy
Bodies / Healthy Minds Award from Arizona Department of Education. Presented by the State
Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Horne, this award honors outstanding physical education
programs throughout Arizona.
The Physical Education staff at Wilson is comprised of three innovative teachers: Floyd Miller, Kathy
Franklin, and Gabe Romero. Floyd Miller is the schools designated elementary P.E. teacher, and he
focuses on skills related fitness activities. He inspires the younger students to stay active in an
increasingly sedimentary society. He likes to remind them “to put down the remote and pick up the
racket.”
The middle school PE department is staffed by Kathy Franklin and Gabe Romero. The middle school
students participate in a variety of activities, in a comprehensive course of study. In addition to the
usual PE curriculum, these teachers like to teach “what the students are into”: activities such as dancing,
golf, tennis, floor pong, rollerblading, and clown college (for 6th graders). All of these activities
promote life-time fitness and focus on balance, coordination, agility, teamwork and maintaining a
healthy lifestyle.
“We have found that if we adapt to the needs and interests of our students they are substantially more
inclined to participate in the activities and adopt a much more active lifestyle in the future,” said Kathy
Franklin. “The most unique part of our curriculum is that we involve the students in all facets of the
activities. Not only do they play the games, they also play the roles of judge, coach, referee and peer
evaluator.
“We are constantly getting feedback from the high schools that our students are well prepared and have
inspired attitudes when it comes to physical education. That is a testament to the dedication and
originality of our P.E. staff,” says Adrian Hannah, Wilson Principal.
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Amphi High teacher named Best in State
Amphi High School teacher, Jose Bernal, has been named Arizona’s Agriculture Teacher of the Year by the Arizona Association of Agriculture Educators. Bernal, who is starting his 28th year with Amphi, will now be in the running for the national award. Mr. Bernal teaches both plant and animal science at Amphi High School, utilizing the Amphi High Land Lab for hands-on lessons. At the lab, students spend their year learning to breed, vaccinate, raise and show their livestock.
Mr. Bernal has also received the Southwest District Teacher of the Year Award three times in his career: 1985, 2003 and 2008.
“Mr. Bernal has done an amazing job with this program and it is outstanding that he has been recognized for his efforts. It seems that every year his students compete at the national level and that is a testament to his dedication and abilities both a mentor and as a teacher,” said Patsy Harris, Principal, Amphi High School. “He still has the energy and enthusiasm of a first year teacher, after 31 years in any profession, and that is just remarkable.”
Bernal is the second teacher at Amphi High School to receive a major award this year. Stephanie Duisberg was recently named National German Teacher of the Year at the school. Agriscience has been offered at AHS for over 45 years. The Land Lab is expected to be a focus point of the new Joint Technological Education District (JTED). This year, Amphi is gearing up to receive a state of the art animal science lab all of which has been made possible through JTED funds.
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Amphi High German Teacher Wins National Award
Amphi High School German teacher Stephanie Duisberg Ph.D. has received the Language Matters award from the Intercultural Student Experiences (ISE) organization. According to the organization, “this national annual award is given to one teacher who achieves outstanding success in getting their students to speak German through creative methods, and who has provided genuine immersion experiences outside the classroom.”
Duisberg has been with the Amphi School District since August of 1978. Over the last 30 years, she has served Amphi as a German teacher as well as the Foreign Language Department Head at the school. She has also supported other teachers as a Career Ladder Facilitator. Duisberg also works with the Center for Educational Resources in Culture, Language and Literacy based out of the University of Arizona.
“We are very proud of all of our staff, but it’s wonderful when one of them wins a national award. Dr. Duisberg is a steward of her profession whose exemplary techniques have proven to be beneficial for our students as well as our staff,” said Patricia Harris, Principal, Amphitheater High School.
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La Cima Teacher Named Finalist for AZ Teacher of the Year Award
Becca Hughes, 6th - 8th Grade English Language Development teacher at La Cima Middle School, was recognized as a finalist by the Arizona Educational Foundation Teacher of the Year program. The Arizona Teacher of the Year program is the only statewide program that spotlights the contributions of Arizona’s teachers. The program annually recognizes five exceptionally skilled and dedicated pre-kindergarten through 12th Grade public school teachers. Nominees are those individuals who have gained the respect and admiration of students, parents, and co-workers. They play an active and useful role in their communities as well as their schools, often distinguishing themselves as leaders. They have a superior ability to help all students achieve.
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