Elizabeth Craig, a Hart @ Home math teacher, was announced as the District Teacher of the Year, by the Hart District Governing Board, at its regular Sept. 3, 2014 meeting. Craig is a founding teacher of Hart @ Home, the District’s independent learning program now serving more than 70 students in grades 7-12. Craig has worked for the Hart School District since 1999, first as a math teacher and department chair at Canyon High School from 1999-2013. While still at Canyon, starting in 2011, Craig helped launch the District’s new home school program beginning in 2011. She was named the Canyon High School Teacher of the Year in 2008. Craig began her career in 1976 as a math teacher for Beverly Hills High School, where she was also a mentor teacher for newly hired teachers.

Elizabeth Craig

“I want to express my gratitude to the district committee that has recognized my contributions to our district. I am proud of the success of the Hart @ Home program. I am overwhelmed by the honor my wonderful colleagues, who have been so instrumental to the growth of this new program, have bestowed on me,” Craig said. “After almost 40 years as a mathematics teacher I still enjoy helping students understand and develop a love for math. The Hart @ Home program has enabled me to work closely with students and their families by designing individualized educational plans to meet specific needs of each student in our program.”

The other 16 teachers recognized as Teacher of the Year for the 2014-15 school year were recognized by the board and honored for their outstanding contributions to their school.

This year’s Teachers of the Year and the schools they represent:

Jason Wilhelm, English, Academy of the Canyons; Kandis Taylor, instrumental music / band director, Arroyo Seco Junior High School; Kathleen Watson, English / English Language Development, Bowman High School; Brenden McCann, art/yearbook, Canyon High School; Gerry Howard, life skills, Golden Oak Adult School; Ann McCann, librarian, Golden Valley High School, Dominic Marcucilli, special education, Hart High School; Kathy Gettman, math, La Mesa Junior High School; Kelly Soto, science, Placerita Junior High School; Rebecca Martin, social studies, Rancho Pico Junior High School; Jenny Bretthauer, science, Rio Norte Junior High School; Krista Botton, science, Saugus High School; Fidel Garcia, special education, Sequoia School; Ken Holsenbeck, math, Sierra Vista Junior High School; David Inemer, math, Valencia High School and Heather Kennedy, special education, West Ranch High School.

Teacher of the Year honorees are chosen by their peers and the administration at each site. The District Teacher of the Year advances to the county level, where a small number of honorees are selected to represent Los Angeles County at the state and possibly even the national level.

All of the district’s Teachers of the Year will be honored at a luncheon this fall, in addition to the Governing Board recognition. Their portraits will be on display in the district’s Administrative Center for the 2014-15 school year.