McPherson has taught at SPHS since 2002. In his letter of nomination Principal Marietti had high praise for McPherson. “Over the past seven years Amber McPherson has been and continues to be an outstanding teacher who skillfully and successfully fulfills various roles in support of students inside and outside the classroom,” he said. “Specifically, Amber has excelled in her positions as a teacher in the instruction of United States History, Advance Placement classes and the Human Services Academy. Mrs. McPherson has dedicated herself to the students of Santa Paula High School and to the Santa Paula community.”Marietti said that, throughout his 20 years in education, he had yet to come across a teacher that is more passionate about student learning and success or more committed to building on and improving the education they provide students. “In her role as advisor and teacher, Amber has stressed with her students the importance of giving back to the community in which they live,” Marietti added. “She has led her students in organizing a voter registration drive, veterans for peace presentations and participation in the Santa Paula Beautiful community cleanup efforts.”McPherson is now in the running for California Teacher of the Year honors, along with teachers from other counties.
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Amber McPherson (above left) had her suspicions, but said she was still totally surprised when she was honored Tuesday in her Santa Paula High School classroom. County Schools Superintendent Stan Mantooth presented McPherson with her award in front of her students. He was accompanied by SPUHSD Superintendent Dr. David Gomez, SPHS Principal Paul Marrietti, several other school officials as well as her husband Gunnar and 3-year-old son Aiden (photo above right). (Photos by Brian D. Wilson) |
SPHS teacher named as Ventura County “Teacher of the Year”
June 05, 2009
Santa Paula High School
Brian D. Wilson
Santa Paula TimesAmber McPherson had her suspicions, but said she was still totally surprised when she was honored Tuesday in her Santa Paula High School classroom.County Schools Superintendent Stan Mantooth presented McPherson with her award in front of her students. He was accompanied by SPUHSD Superintendent Dr. David Gomez, SPHS Principal Paul Marrietti, several other school officials as well as her husband Gunnar and 3-year-old son Aiden.She had a feeling she might of won the county honor when she recently received a memo from he district office, inviting her to the next meeting of district trustees. “I had a weird feeling all weekend,” she said. But then Principal Marietti told her it was just to recognize her as the district Teacher of the Year.“It’s overwhelming, it’s a huge honor,” she said. She and her husband attended a Dodger game last night along with other Southern California teachers who were representing their counties. They were taken down to the field, where they were recognized by State Superintendent of Schools Jack O’Connell.
