Paul Lewanski shares his honors with four other CTA members who were named Teachers of the Year in January:
Arthur Coleman Jr. - As band director at Hamilton Middle School in Stockton for the past 12 years, he has participated in and initiated several music and dance programs. During his 22 years as an educator, the Stockton Teachers Association member has accumulated numerous honors including three local Teacher of the Year awards, and is an inductee at the Black Athletic Hall of Fame.
He has a bachelor's degree in music and teaching credentials in music and special education from the University of the Pacific.
"Learning is limitless," says Coleman. "The trick is getting the student to believe this. This is not something you can tell them. It is something they must experience."
Dawn Imamoto - A second-grade teacher at Bryte Elementary School in the Washington Unified School District (Yolo County), she earned a bachelor's degree in child development from California State University, Fullerton and her credential from the University of California, Davis.
In her nine years as an educator, the Washington Teachers Association member has received several honors, including a literacy award and Teacher of the Month recognition.
She decided to go into teaching after volunteering in a special education class: "I remember how hard my students had to work just to roll a ball down the bowling alley. As I motivated these kids, I could see a change in their attitude. I felt that my presence made a difference. The smiles on their faces as they accomplished their goals always filled me with joy. It was then that I knew that I wanted to be a teacher."
Paul McLaughlin - A math teacher in the Walnut Valley Unified School District, he earned a master's degree in school administration from California State University, Los Angeles and a credential from Mount Saint Mary's College. Besides teaching at Suzanne Middle School for the past 10 years, the Walnut Valley Education Association member has worked at four other schools in the Los Angeles area as a teacher, dean, counselor and principal.
In his 25 years as an educator, McLaughlin has won numerous honors including local Teacher of the Year, and several first-place awards for yearbook journalism from the Columbia University Scholastic Press Association. He has also achieved National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification.
"I still hold to the belief that teachers are born, not made," says McLaughlin. "I am fortunate to see many of my former students in all walks of life. To be remembered as having made an impact in their lives is my greatest achievement."
Zenaida Rosario - A third-grade teacher at La Mirada Elementary School in the San Ysidro School District (San Diego County), she earned a master's degree in educational administration and supervision from San Diego State University. Besides teaching third grade for the past five years at La Mirada, Rosario has been a bilingual teacher at other schools in Southern California.
In her 21-year career as an educator, the San Ysidro Education Assocation member has won numerous honors including local Teacher of the Year awards and a leadership award.
"My students believe in themselves because I instill in them their capability of achieving anything they set their minds to," says Rosario. "I give all of my strength to provide them the best learning experience and hope that they take these skills along the years to reach their goals."
