Carlmont High Teacher Honored by Local PTA

By Lori McBride, 17th District PTA Founder's Day Chair

 (Editors Note: This article was submitted March 16.)

As the California PTA turned 115, the 17thDistrict PTA (covering San Mateo County)—also turning 85—celebrated with a luncheon at Dominic’s at Oyster Point in South San Francisco on Feb. 22. Volunteers from around the county were also honored for their tireless work to better public education for all students. They include Sara Otus Green, Dennis McBride, Carrie DuBois, and the Ted Peck Foundation.

HONOREES:

San Mateo County Teacher of the Year: , Carlmont High School English teacher and English Dept. Chair

After working in the music and recording industry, Raphael decided to return to college and get his teaching credential.  He began teaching at Carlmont 7 years ago.  He integrates music with his teaching which helps engage his students. 

Sara Otus Green (Continuing Service Award), presented by Colette Rudd. 

 Sara was honored for her enthusiasm, her dedication, and her outstanding ability to organize PTA events, especially those involving and training new PTA leaders. Sara became involved with PTA when her son started elementary school in Foster City.

Sara has served Reflections (arts program) Chair of the San Mateo/Foster City Council, the 17thDistrict PTA, and now the California State PTA, and is now on the State Board of Managers.  In this position, she reached out to PTAs to encourage participation, trained Reflections chairs, recruited judges, publicized the event, collected the entries, and sent on winning ones to the state PTA for judging and display.  Sara did this for the children, so that the children would be encouraged to be creative and have the opportunity to see their work on display. 

Sara has also served as Chair of the 17th District’s officer training event for the past four years.  With her leadership, participation increased by more than 300 percent.

Dennis McBride (Honorary Service Award), presented by Debra Adler

Dennis began his community involvement in education 25 years ago when his own two sons were in preschool.  He was actively involved in all their public schools, and is now in his 9th year serving as a Trustee in the .  

Dennis served on  School’s Site Council for eight years. In addition, he worked on two Redwood City School District parcel tax elections.   Additionally, he was the treasurer for Measure B Bond initiative in 2002.  He served as Treasurer on the RWC Education Foundation for three years and in 2004 was recognized as “Parent of the Year”.

Redwood City's Superintendent Jan Christensen said: "It is such an honor to work with him on our Board of Education.  He is among the most caring, hardworking and sincere individuals with whom I have had the pleasure of working. His focus is always, on the education and well being of our incredible students." 

Anne Campbell, San Mateo County’s Superintendent says, "He represents the gold standard in community service. He continues to make tremendously tough choices to keep the district's budget balanced”.

Carrie DuBois (Honorary Service Award), presented by Lori McBride and Keiko Smith

Carrie DuBois works tirelessly and strongly advocates for all the children in our community, believing that every child deserves a high quality education and to be safe and cared for, and cares deeply for the underserved.   The adjectives of “passionate”, “dedicated”, “kind”, “thoughtful”, “concerned”, “optimistic” and “persistent” have been used to describe her.  She challenges others to think and do things differently.

After serving six years as a trustee in the San Carlos School District, Carrie  last November to serve on the .   

Carrie has done a lot of outreach to the women and children in East Palo Alto and Belle Haven communities.  She held her election night party at a taqueria in the Belle Haven area so those in this community would feel valued.

Sister Trinitas,of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul, said “Women are women with the same needs and dreams, no matter what language they speak”.  When the building that housed the Center was being sold, Carrie pushed to have it bought to protect affordable housing for the poor and keep a secure place for the Rosaline Rendu Center. 

Carrie is very interested in the welfare of foster children who face huge obstacles to their learning.To promote awareness of the grim statistics about foster youth and promote awareness among parents, Carrie set up several “A Night for Abigail” evenings where foster youth communicated about their needs. 

Ted Peck Reading Foundation (Honorary Service Award), presented by Kathryn Cross

Lash Stevenson and a group of his racquetball playing friends from Royal Athletic Club in Burlingame had dinner together every other month at the old Esposto’s Restaurant in San Mateo.  Ted Peck always paid the dinner bill, so the rest of the group decided to pitch in and donate to something worthwhile.

They formed the Ted Peck Reading Foundation.  The members, now numbering about 20 and meeting at Luceti’s in San Mateo, each donate $50 or $100 to pay for reading supplies and materials for local schools.  They have adopted Turnbull Learning Academy, Beresford School, the Bookmobile, and one school in San Francisco.

The Ted Peck Reading Foundation has contributed over $50,000 in the past ten years to supply funds for teachers to buy computers, books, study guides and fund class study trips and school scholarships.  In February, 2012, they raised $1,900 to donate to Fox School.

Ted Peck Reading Foundation has close ties to teachers, as several members are related to teachers, and both of Lash’s sons teach.