AREA TEACHER NAMED BEST IN FIVE COUNTIES.

Byline: Mary Schubert Daily News Staff Writer

Franca Koeller, a veteran math teacher from Arroyo Seco Junior High, has been honored by a statewide organization as the top middle-schools educator in a five-county Southern California area.

Koeller, whose career began in 1969 with the Los Angeles Unified School District, teaches mathematics and computers to seventh-graders. She came to the William S. Hart Union High School District 10 years ago and has been at Arroyo Seco that whole time.

Koeller stands out because she makes math exciting, said Arroyo Seco Principal Jacque Snyder.

``Franca can see mathematical applications in everything,'' Snyder said. ``And she wants her students to experience the wonder, challenge and satisfaction of solving problems and creating . . . solutions that apply to real world situations.''

Koeller received her award Jan. 22 from the California League of Middle Schools, during a banquet in Universal City. The Irvine-based organization annually recognizes educators based on criteria such as leadership, dedication, innovation and enthusiasm, said Peter Murphy, the group's executive director. Established 20 years ago to promote middle school and junior high education, the organization is composed of principals, teachers, school librarians and counselors.

Koeller was singled out from among teachers at middle schools and junior highs in Los Angeles, Ventura, Kern, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. According to 1996 statistics from the state Department of Education, there are 319 such campuses in those five counties. Statewide, California has 1,106 middle schools and junior highs, state officials said.

The league selects educators of the year from its 10 regions across the state. Koeller and the nine other winners will be honored in March at the California League of Middle Schools annual conference in San Francisco, Murphy said. There, the overall winner will be selected, and he or she will receive $1,750 in cash and annuities.

Although Koeller, a 20-year Santa Clarita Valley resident, has taught math at College of the Canyons, she said she has found her niche teaching seventh- and eighth-graders. ``I really love their energy and their enthusiasm,'' she said.

``If you can channel their energy, they're so exciting to teach,'' Koeller added. ``If we can reach them at this age, then we can be real successful.''

Snyder praised Koeller's work ethic and ability to show her students ``the magic and power of mathematics and technology in their lives,'' she said.

Koeller has organized ``math nights'' for Arroyo Seco parents to show them what the children are learning. She has been a Hart district mentor teacher since 1992, and also serves as a master teacher who supervises student teachers.

Her approach to teaching math is to show students how to apply the concepts and skills in everyday life so students see the purpose and practical application of math.

``We don't spend as much time on drills . . . but I still expect my students to know their multiplication tables,'' Koeller said. ``What I want to get across to kids is that math is not just arithmetic,'' she said. ``Kids should see that math is solving problems.''

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PHOTO Franca Koeller, a math and computer teacher at Arroyo Seco Junior High, is the California League of Middle Schools' top educator.

Shaun Dyer/Special to the Daily News