Santa Paula High School Principal Tony Gaitan said the honor for Kelly Everett as Educator of the Month is a matter of “stepping up to the plate” to face all challenges.Everett, a SPHS and California Lutheran University graduate, has been a SPHS English teacher for four years and is now the department chair.Everett has consistently demonstrated a commitment to “education, community leadership and dedication to our students,” said Gaitan. “Kelly has the leadership and courage to step up to the plate when needed,” including overseeing students who create the annual yearbook, El Solano, and assuming the chairmanship of the English Department. As yearbook advisor, the publication has won several national awards.“Kelly is a wonderful teacher and her advanced placement course is one of the most rigorous; she has taught almost all grade levels and stepped up taking special classes at UCSB in reading and writing courses.”Gaitan said he “commends Kelly for her leadership, performance and dedication. . .she is an inspiration to teachers and students alike.”“I especially thank you as I grew up in Santa Paula and feel I am giving back to the community that raised me,” said Everett as she was presented with the Educator of the Month Award.John Macik/Santa Paula Chevrolet provides the plaques for the monthly Chamber of Commerce awards.
SPFD Firefighter Zierenberg, educator Everett honored at GMSP
November 29, 2002
Santa Paula News
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula TimesAn educator and firefighter were honored at the November Good Morning Santa Paula! which featured the Isbell Condor Chorus and an array of speakers at the Chamber of Commerce sponsored event.Hosted by The Spirit of Santa Paula, GMSP! was held at Logsdon’s at the Santa Paula Airport.SPFD Chief Paul Skeels said that new full-time Firefighter Roderick Zierenberg was being honored as the Public Safety Officer of the Month.“Like our City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz, Rod graduated from Camarillo High School,” said Chief Skeels.The oldest of 11 children, the Eagle Scout spent two years as a missionary in the Dominican Republic and “polished his language skills; he’s fluent in Spanish which very much helps us in our medical and fire emergency responses,” said Chief Skeels.Firefighter Zierenberg and his wife, Monica, have four children and “the fifth on the way. . .before he became a firefighter he was involved in construction. Rod joined the SPFD as a paid-call volunteer in 2000 and quickly became proficient in fire fighting and EMT medical skills and tested competitively,” to become join the SPFD as a full-time firefighter.“Rod is a terrific member of the department, extremely enthusiastic,” added Chief Skeels. “Rod used to get kidded a lot because he used to ask a lot of questions,” that contributed to his knowledge that is “serving all of us very well.”“I enjoy it tremendously,” said Firefighter Zierenberg of his SPFD duties. “I appreciate the opportunity to serve here and enjoy working with our chiefs.”
