Today, in addition to announcing the 2019-20 Teachers of the Year, IUSD announced four Teachers of Promise. This annual honor goes to first- or second-year instructors, who go above and beyond, while demonstrating professional curiosity and an unbridled enthusiasm for teaching.
The 2019-20 Teachers of Promise are:
- Danielle Cross is a Fourth-Grade Teacher at Eastwood Elementary School. In her second year, she has spearheaded the OC Maker Challenge for Eastwood, where she coached students during lunch on design thinking.
- Miguel Chicas is a Vocal Music Teacher in the elementary Arts IUSD program. Also in his second year, Miguel was a co-conductor for the IUSD Honor Chorus at the Bren Honors Concert. He was formerly a music assistant in the Arts IUSD program and worked his way through the ranks to be a teacher.
- Si Young Mah is a middle school Math Teacher at Plaza Vista School. She uses a broad range of instructional strategies to meet the needs of her students and is respected as a kind and compassionate educator, who is student centered.
- Luna Bai is in her second year teaching science at Irvine High School. Her colleagues have noted her enthusiasm for working with English language learners as they master science concepts. Her colleagues in biology appreciate her content expertise and her embrace of the professional learning community at the school.
This year’s four Teachers of Promise were recognized in front of their students and will be formally honored in April at the 34th annual Excellence in Teaching Awards program.
Once again, congratulations to this year’s Teachers of Promise!
Click here for the 2019-20 Teachers of the Year honorees.