Science Teacher Named State Teacher of the Year

Editor's Note: This report was updated to include information from the state Department of Education.

makes science into magic in his classroom every day. Today, his classroom charm was formally recognized by state officials.

Collett is one of five educators named California Teacher of the Year by the state Department of Education, according to Craig Cheslog, principal assistant to state Superintendent of Public Education Tom Torlakson.

The news was one that was shocking for Collett.

“This is a once in a lifetime experience. Words are kind of at a loss,” Collett said. “I really didn’t expect this sort of recognition.”

Collett has worked with the for nearly two decades, first at High School and as a science teacher at .

Collett’s transition from high school education to junior high school has been exhausting but rewarding. He spearheaded the start of the Marine and Science Technology program at Newark Memorial High School and advises the junior high school.

“I’m coming off of a very tiring but exciting day today and things are great. The kids are amazing and full of energy and enthusiasm and the staff is so great here. I just love Newark Junior High,” Collett said.

Collett said the most amazing part of his selection was that it originated with his peers choosing him as the teacher of the year at Newark Junior High.

“It’s one of parts of process I value the most," Collett said.

Superintendent Dave Marken called Collett a “well-deserving recipient” of the statewide recognition. Marken added the district is thankful for Collett and the entire staff of Newark Junior High School.

Collett was chosen out of 12 finalists of a pool of 75 educators who were nominated for the statewide Teacher of the Year competition through the various county of education offices, Cheslog said.

The state Department of Education's Teacher of the Year program was started in 1972.

In a press release issued Nov. 7, Torlakson called Collett a "wonderfully effective teacher who employs a wide array of teaching techniques tailored to increase student motivation, achievement, and engagement."

"I appreciate his remarkable ability to prepare students for an increasingly competitive, scientific world," Torlakson said.

Alameda County Office of Education named Collett and Pleasanton/Tri-Valley ROP Horizon Continuation High School’s Karen McMahon as the on Oct. 6.

All five educators chosen as California Teachers of the Year will be recognized in a ceremony on Feb. 6 in Sacramento. For more information about the statewide program, click here.

Here are the other four teachers who were named California Teachers of the Year. (Information below provided in a press release issued by the California State Department of Education)

• Florence Avognon teaches English and is part of the Reading Intervention Specialists Teachers program, Central Juvenile Hall, Los Angeles County Office of Education (Los Angeles County). (Due to budget cuts, Ms. Avognon was transferred in September to another court school, The Phoenix Academy, a residential treatment program for adolescent substance abusers, where she continues to teach high school.)
• Shari Ann Herout teaches kindergarten and provides Responsiveness to Intervention services at Foxboro Elementary School in the Travis Unified School District (Solano County).
• Ken LaVigne teaches English at La Serna High School in the Whittier Union High School District (Los Angeles County).
• Rebecca Mieliwocki teaches English to seventh graders at Luther Burbank Middle School in the Burbank Unified School District (Los Angeles County). Mrs. Mieliwocki also was selected by Torlakson to serve as the state's representative to the National Teacher of the Year Program.