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Monday, April 23, 2012

Burbank educator named National Teacher of the Year - LA Daily News

Burbank educator named National Teacher of the Year - LA Daily News:


Burbank educator named National Teacher of the Year

By Barbara Jones, Staff Writer
Updated:   04/23/2012 08:27:28 AM PDT

FILE PHOTO: Luther Burbank Middle School teacher Rebecca Mieliwocki teaches a 7th-grade English class in 2011. She was named National Teacher of the Year. (Andy Holzman/Daily News Staff Photographer) ((ANDY HOLZMAN/LA DAILY NEWS))
Rebecca Mieliwocki, a 7th grade teacher at Burbank Middle School in Burbank was named today as National Teacher of the Year.
Mieliwocki grew up in Napa, the daughter of two career teachers. She had studied to be a lawyer, but switched to teaching 14 years when her chosen profession proved unrewarding.
"Students learn best when they have the most enthusiastic, engaged teachers possible," Mieliwocki said in a statement. "I firmly believe that teachers must be held accountable for their students' success, from helping them meet personal or school-wide learning goals to achieving on district and state level assessments. Our students are our future, so we, their teachers, must do our best to inspire them and guide them to greatness." Mieliwocki was nominated for the award by Tom Torlakson, California's superintendent of public instruction. "Rebecca Mieliwocki is an inspiration to her students, to me, and to every California teacher," he said. "She brings enormous energy, enthusiasm and optimism to teaching -- a career that has never been more challenging, or more vital to our future. "She's the perfect choice for this tremendous honor, and I know she'll do an outstanding job of teaching the nation about the great things happening every day in California's public schools." The award is given annually by the Council of Chief State School Officers. Mieliwocki and officials of the Burbank Unified School District will appear with President Barack Obama during a Rose Garden ceremony
at the White House on Tuesday, when her honor will be formally announced.

Join the #NTOY12 Conversation

CCSSO profile
CCSSO Miss the big announcement? Info about Rececca Mieliwocki #NTOY12http://t.co/trRFpy61. Watch it on @CBSThisMorninghttp://t.co/MuKlq8oE4 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite
PaulRFerrari profile
PaulRFerrari Miss the big announcement? Info about Rececca Mieliwocki #NTOY12http://t.co/cWNjrofJ. Watch it on @CBSThisMorninghttp://t.co/jgom9cD94 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite
deborahgist profile
deborahgist RT @CCSSO: RT @CBSThisMorning: We just announced Rebecca Mieliwocki the 2012 National Teacher of the Year. Congratulations! #NTOY1215 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite
UnionGuyJake profile
UnionGuyJake RT @NEAMedia: Congrats to the 2012 Teacher of the Year and NEA member, Rebecca Mieliwocki! #NTOY1219 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite
Kuder profile
Kuder Congratulations to Rebecca Mieliwocki! 2012 Teacher of the Year! #NTOY1235 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite
KEBloo profile
KEBloo .@IINGact2impactcongratulates Rebecca Mieliwocki, the 62nd #NTOY12!http://t.co/ZgTGywQ537 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite
Jasonimoore profile
Jasonimoore “@NEAMedia: Congrats to the 2012 Teacher of the Year and NEA member, Rebecca Mieliwocki! #NTOY1239 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite

About the National Teacher of the Year Program

The National Teacher of the Year (NTOY) Program began in 1952 and continues as the oldest, most prestigious national honors program that focuses public attention on excellence in teaching.

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National Teacher of the Year

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Every year organizations in each state choose a worthy teacher to represent the state. Check out the exceptional teachers that became the State Teacher of the Year.

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The National Teacher of the Year Program is sponsored by the ING Foundation and Target. A project of the Council of Chief State School Officers in partnership with the University of Phoenix and People to People Ambassador Programs.