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Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer
Phoenix Program teachers Maureen Ortiz left, and Laura Auch were recently nominated as finalists, in a field of 110,000 nominees, for DisneyÕs Teacher of the Year.
Phoenix Rising
Cupertino teachers receive national recognition
By Amy Jenkins
Usually Disney is associated with cartoons, theme parks and a mouse; but two Cupertino teachers are also aware of Disney's commitment to education because they have been selected as Disney's American Teacher Awards honorees for 2001.
Laura Auch and Maureen Ortiz are the honorees, and they are not new to awards. As team teachers for the Phoenix High School program at Cupertino High School for the past decade, the two were winners in 2000 for the National All-USA Teacher Team Award and "Teachers of the Year" in the Fremont Union High School District.
Phoenix is an alternative high school program that offers at-risk students an opportunity for a second chance at graduating from high school. Auch and Ortiz started the program 13 years ago to bring children into a student-friendly teaching environment. According to the team, students come to this program with a history of negative behaviors, which have resulted in years of failure in the traditional approach to education.
The teachers refer to their students as "ladies and gentlemen" and expect them to dress and act appropriately--no hats or drug paraphernalia. If an electronic device goes off in class, the teacher confiscates it for a week. The students must shake the teacher's hand and make eye contact before leaving the classroom.
"We believe education is more than knowledge--it's about changing behavior," Ortiz says. "We are teaching them life skills that can take them beyond college."
Every third period, a student receives a standing ovation from classmates after their name is randomly pulled from a box. The students bow or give high fives while their teachers recite the class motto--"We believe you are inherently worthy!"
The curriculum is still very rigorous, but the grading system is different than the traditional method. Semesters are divided into three-week periods, instead of six-weeks, so if a student is not passing, he or she can get a second chance. Students must complete 100 percent of the assigned work to earn one credit for each class. Attendance is highly valued, so if they miss three classes, they fail. "We feel once we get them here, we can hook them," Ortiz says.
Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer
The students in Maureen Ortiz and Laura Auch's class are required to shake hands goodbye, while looking the teachers in the eye, every day after class.
Auch adds, "Parents are in despair because their kid isn't on track, hates school or dropped out, but our program turns that despair to hope."
Ortiz oversees an extracurricular program called "Excellent Adventures," and students from both the Phoenix program and Cupertino High School participate in it. Approximately 30 students get together three times a week and confidentially discuss sex, drugs and relationships. The goal is to build self-esteem and bond with fellow classmates. "I was able to tell someone I didn't feel I got respect from them," says Julia Patton, Phoenix student and assistant in the program. "I participate because I believe it really works."
Candace James dropped out of Cupertino High School but now attends 12th grade at Phoenix. She says she wishes she had come to the program before she dropped out. "In this program nobody looks down at anyone," she says. "Mrs. Auch and Mrs. Ortiz inspired me to become an at-risk teacher because they provide the extra help we need."
Junior Bobby Malone joined the Phoenix program this year after not doing well at Lynbrook High School. "Phoenix gave me the opportunity to make up credits and get involved in school activities," he says.
Auch and Ortiz are two of 35 teachers who were selected for Disney's American Teacher Awards, out of 110,000 nominations from students, parents and colleagues, and 20,000 applications. An anonymous community member nominated the pair. Honorees were selected for their outstanding teaching ability and their commitment to their profession.
"This is a tremendous award for the teachers and for the program," Cupertino High School Principal Eric Paulson says. "It is great that they will be recognized nationally for their excellence in teaching."
Peggy Bryan, principal of Sherman Oaks Elementary School and former principal for the Phoenix program, agrees.
Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer
Phoenix Program student Darren Ogasawara receives a standing ovation from his classmates, after being told by them that 'we believe you were born inherently worthy.' Every day a different student's name is chosen and he or she is honored by his/her peers.
"Beyond their curricular expertise, these two teachers reach into the heart and soul of disenfranchised teens and re-ignite a love of learning," she says. "These two women can turn a student's life around--they are modern miracle workers."
Educational experts narrowed the applications down to the top 35, who are going to be a part of an Academy-Awards-like ceremony in Los Angeles Nov. 6 through 10. Disney is going to fly the teachers and a guest to the ceremony and provide a week of special dinners and events, in the teachers' honor, at Disneyland.
Ortiz and Auch have been awarded $10,000 for themselves and $5,000 for their school to put to use. There are 10 categories the 35 teachers fall into, and if this pair wins the team teaching category, they will receive an additional $5,000. Out of the 10 category finalists, the Outstanding Teacher of the Year will be awarded along with $25,000 to that teacher's school.
Auch and Ortiz say they have not decided what to spend the $5,000 on yet. They may use it for a mentoring program Phoenix students participated in last year. Each student spent time with an at-risk student from Sherman Oaks Elementary School, helping them with homework and encouraging them to value education. Ortiz says one Phoenix graduate student still contacts his mentoree.
The idea behind the ceremony is to show a glimpse into the classroom of the honorees. Film crews taped an eight-hour day of the teacher in his or her classroom that will be edited and shown during the ceremony. The teachers chose a favorite lesson plan, and five minutes of tape will be shown to the selection committee. The selection committee and honorees will vote for the best teacher in each category and the outstanding teacher from the video and a three-minute speech given by each honoree.
But the honor does not end with the ceremony. All the honorees are required to work with their principals and other teachers at their school to find ways to help improve students' education. Auch and Ortiz plan to help the at-risk students pass a mandatory exit exam.
"What Disney is not looking for is teachers who just want to receive glory, glitz and glamour," says spokesperson for Disney's American Teacher Awards Terry Wick. "We want teachers who will give back to the teaching profession and benefit students, other teachers and the district."
The Disney American Teacher Awards ceremony will air on Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. on Lifetime. To nominate a teacher or learn more about the award, visit www.disneylearning.org.
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Cupertino, California Since 1947
