Amy Weisberg, Transitional Kindergarten/Kindergarten teacher at Topanga Elementary Charter School (TECS), is among 22 educators named as Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) 2019-20 Teachers of the Year. She is one of five in the group who will compete for Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year.
The honorees include teachers in elementary, secondary, and adult schools, special-education programs, affiliated charters, and magnets. The winners will be honored in September at the Los Angeles County Teachers of the Year luncheon.
At the Teacher of the Year meeting, Weisberg said, “The children who have spent their days in my classroom, the families I have gotten to know, and the colleagues with whom I have shared the joys and frustrations of teaching, have enriched my life. For the past 13 years I have taught Transitional Kindergarten (TK), a program I originated as Developmental Kindergarten, helping the youngest students build a strong foundation during their first year in public school. My first group of TK students is graduating high school this year and heading off to colleges all over the country. The newness of teaching doesn’t fade for me because every year is a chance to begin again, add new lessons and ideas, and nurture new relationships with students and their families.”
A LAUSD press release says, “These instructors touch many lives in their classrooms. The influence of a great teacher can last forever.”
Superintendent Austin Beutner said, “Congratulations to these heroes who excel at the art and science of teaching our students.”
“Amazing teachers change the trajectory of student lives all over Los Angeles,” LAUSD Board President Mónica García said. “Thank you for believing in them, challenging them, and having high expectations of them!”
Board Vice President Nick Melvoin said, “Congratulations for going above and beyond in the education of our kids!”
Board Member Scott M. Schmerelson said, “I never fail to leave a school site without feeling optimistic about the future after observing the talent and commitment of our teaching professionals who do so much under the most challenging and under-resourced conditions.”
“You are the real heroes in our community, and I want to thank you for all you do,” Board Member Jackie Goldberg said. “We recognize your excellent performance in the classroom, because it means so much to our students.”
Weisberg teaches transitional kindergarten and is a kindergarten teacher at Topanga Elementary Charter School. She challenges and encourages the school’s youngest students, giving them a head start on literacy, math, school readiness, and social emotional development. She has brought resources to her campus including a garden, outdoor stage, a labyrinth, and even a yoga class. She will compete for Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year.
I’m not surprised. She has gone way beyond expectations for a long time and the results are very evident to all the people around her, U know she will go on making an outstanding contribution and will overcome the shortages and limitations of teaching under many school district and state pressures.
Thank you Libby!
Amy, you so deserve this award you are beyond being an amazing teacher. Topanga Elementary is so lucky to have you as a educator there. Sending love success and blessings Sue… Slater is one lucky student to know you. xoxo
Congratulations on this well deserved award!
Our school and community are lucky to have you!