Paul L. Cato Middle School Science Teacher Allison Bogart and Nueva Vista Language Academy kindergarten teacher Lindsay Stansberry, were honored Wednesday evening as the 2017-18 Kern County Teachers of the Year.
The finalists are now eligible to apply to move on to the California State Teachers of the Year program later in the year. An alternate, Andrew Chilton, a 12th grade English teacher at Stockdale High, was also selected in the event that one of the finalists is unable to apply for the state competition.
The selections were announced at a reception hosted by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS) at the Bakersfield Museum of Art to honor the 52 Kern County teachers nominated for the award by their schools and districts.
A committee of educators and community leaders reviewed all the applications. Recent site visits were made to the top candidates’ schools. All 52 nominees received plaques and certificates.
California Department of Education (CDE) sponsors the annual California Teacher of the Year program. Local sponsors include the California Retired Teachers Association-Kern County Division, Kern Schools Federal Credit Union, and Colombo Construction Company, Inc., with special acknowledgment to the Bakersfield Museum of Art.
TEACHER BACKGROUNDS:
Allison Bogart (FINALIST)
7th & 8th Grade Science
Paul L. Cato Middle School
Bakersfield City School District
A leader in the field of Science and the Next Generation Science Standards, Allison Bogart is devoted to her 7th and 8th grade students at Paul L. Cato Middle School insisting they learn through experience, discussions, and hands on activities. Allison has been teaching middle school students for over 16 years serving most of her instructional time in Kern County districts. Students are engaged in and empowered to be in charge of their own learning, given opportunities to explore, elaborate, extend, and make use of their new knowledge. Mrs. Bogart loves science but loves her students and their accomplishments even more. In her spare time, Allison provides guidance to the Kernville Union School District as a member of their Board of Trustees and also serves on the board of directors for the California Science Teachers Association.
Lindsay Stansberry (FINALIST)
Kindergarten
Nueva Vista Language Academy
Delano Union School District
A kindergarten teacher at Nueva Vista Language Academy in the Delano Union School District, Lindsay Stansberry believes “every child deserves a champion — an adult who will never give up on them. Students entering her classroom are supported by a passionate advocate who recognizes each student for who they are and who they can become regardless of their personal circumstances. A teacher for over 15 years, Mrs. Stansberry is building a community of kindness and acceptance in all students and strives for educational excellence every day. Her classroom is joyful, engaging, and full of smiling faces. Learning is fun through music, art, and the use of challenging content to teach lifelong lessons. Lindsay makes every effort to connect with parents and guardians because she understands the value that the parent and school partnerships can have in advancing her students’ education.
Andrew Chilton (ALTERNATE)
12th Grade English
Stockdale High School
Kern High School District
A 12th grade English teacher at Stockdale High School, Andrew Chilton gives his students a “Daily Dose” of poetry and makes every class period precious and worthwhile, with never an empty, meaningless moment. Mr. Chilton has been teaching 12th grade English for eight years at Stockdale High School and approaches all of his students with the promise that he will be the most inquisitive, passionate, and excited learner in the classroom and they are challenged to join him as they grow together in the learning process. A National Board Certified teacher, Andrew has spent over 15 years in graduate studies and rigorous preparation with a triple major in college to reach his goals as an outstanding educator. Daily, he strives to support his mantra of “Planting Sequoias” by striving to do the right thing, teaching with passion, integrity, and joy and challenging his students to keep asking the questions that need to be asked in life.
