BETTER THAN AN APPLE TEACHERS EARN TOP HONORS.

Byline: Nicholas Grudin Staff Writer

GLENDALE - Five outstanding local educators were named as Los Angeles County Teachers of the Year during an emotional ceremony Wednesday attended by jubilant winners.

The teachers are among 12 Los Angeles County winners who will now be eligible for the California Teacher of the Year award. They were joined by relatives, students, parents and administrators at a morning ceremony in the board room of the Glendale Unified School District.

``I feel like I just won an Academy Award,'' said Carol Koplan, a kindergarten teacher at Kester Avenue Magnet School in Van Nuys, who has drawn accolades for her enthusiasm, use of art in the classroom and teacher mentoring activities.

Koplan was joined by Claudia DiMonte, a kindergarten teacher at Castaic Elementary School; Lisa Reed, a math teacher at Crescenta Valley High School in La Crescenta; Richard Kravchak, a music teacher at Canoga Park High School; and Margaret Wassner, a third-grade teacher at Vista San Gabriel Elementary School in Palmdale.

The Teachers of the Year Program is an honors competition designed to recognize excellence in public school teaching. Twelve finalists are chosen to represent the county in the state contest, and a committee then selects five California Teachers of the Year. One of those is selected as California's nominee for the national competition.

``The teaching profession as a whole does not receive the status that it deserves. There is no more important work done in our country today, and this event is one way to bring the teachers some recognition,'' said Glendale Superintendent Jim Brown said.

Los Angeles County Superintendent Darline Robles echoed his comments.

``We have some of the best and brightest teachers in the country right here in Los Angeles,'' she said.

Surrounded by TV cameras, Reed seemed unaccustomed to the attention.

``Every day I am surrounded by teachers who do amazing things in the classroom. When I think about the number of teachers in the county, it's overwhelming to be here,'' said Reed, who was preparing to return to school for an 11:15 a.m. algebra class after the ceremony.

Two of Reed's students, who attended the event, said she makes math come alive for them.

``You have a boring topic, like stats, and she makes it fun,'' said Crescenta Valley High senior Justin Kim, 16.

Kravchak also came with a student at his side.

``Learning music from Richard even helped me improve my math and English skills. He's made a big difference in my life,'' said Catalina Rivas, a senior at Canoga Park High School.

Kravchak has been a college professor and a professional concert oboist, and he brings those experiences to his high school classes. In his 10 years at Canoga Park High School, the number of participants in the music program has swelled from 80 to 800.

``He's just an outstanding teacher,'' said Dennis Thompson, principal of Canoga Park High. ``He's very knowledgeable and very dedicated to all his students. He's really unique individual - he makes sure every kid finds some kind of success, not only the outstanding musicians, but the kids in his beginning instrument class.''

Wassner was, perhaps, the most shell-shocked by the award.

``I teach in a little school in the desert,'' the Palmdale resident said.

``I was tickled to represent my district but being one of the winners for L.A. is unbelievable,'' said Wassner, who said the recognition has given her and her fellow Teachers of the Year a morale boost.

``Sometimes our profession gets a bad rap. You hear about test scores and bad schools. But I know so many good and wonderful teachers.''

DiMonte agreed with Wassner.

``This is our chance to see that our work is being recognized.''

The 11 school districts represented in the awards were Alhambra City, Castaic Union, Glendale Unified, Hacienda La Puente, Lennox, Little Lake City, Los Angeles Unified, Temple City Unified, Torrance Unified, Whittier City and Wilsona.

Staff Writer Lisa M. Sodders contributed to this story.

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Some of Los Angeles County's Teacher of the Year honorees, from left, Claudia DiMonte, Lisa Reed, Margaret Wassner, Carol Koplan and Richard Kravchak, show off their certificates at Wednesday's ceremony in Glendale.

David Sprague/Staff Photographer