CHAMBER HONORS TEACHER; CEREMONY KICKS OFF AWARD'S 20TH ANNIVERSARY.Byline: Jennifer Hamm Staff Writer A Spanish teacher at Toll Middle School was honored with the John Delmonte Award for Exemplary Teaching Skills on Monday in a ceremony that kicked off the award's 20th anniversary. Cathy Montoro wasn't told she was being given the award at the afternoon faculty meeting. ``I am completely astonished a·ston·ish tr.v. as·ton·ished, as·ton·ish·ing, as·ton·ish·es To fill with sudden wonder or amazement. See Synonyms at surprise. and so humbled and very, very grateful,'' said Montoro, 53. ``This is a group effort always. There's no way any of us could contribute without the support of all of us.'' Colleagues said Montoro is a model teacher. She started a class for native Spanish speakers, advised the Spanish Club and has worked as a mentor with the Hispanic Business Hispanic Business, Inc. is a media company based in Santa Barbara, California, in the United States of America. Founded by Jesús Chavarría in 1979, Hispanic Business, Inc. publishes information for and about Hispanic professionals and entrepreneurs. and Professional organization. The 10-year teacher in the Glendale Unified School District The Glendale Unified School District is a school district based in Glendale, California, United States. The school district serves the city of Glendale, portions of the city of La Cañada and the unincorporated communities of Montrose and La Crescenta. spent five weeks at the University of Santiago There are two well-known places called University of Santiago:
``You know you can count on her,'' said Hasmik Danielian, principal. ``She'll go a million miles.'' Before she began teaching at Toll Middle School, Montoro taught Spanish at Glendale Community College Glendale Community College can refer to one of two colleges in the United States.
Montoro is known for running an enlivening en·liv·en tr.v. en·liv·ened, en·liv·en·ing, en·liv·ens To make lively or spirited; animate. en·liv  en·er n. , interactive classroom.
Students don't just learn how to conjugate conjugate /con·ju·gate/ (kon´jdbobr-gat)1. paired, or equally coupled; working in unison. 2. a conjugate diameter of the pelvic inlet; used alone usually to denote the true conjugate diameter; see verbs, they study Spanish culture, arts and folklore. For example, native Spanish speakers visited her beginning Spanish classes on Monday to discuss Dia de los Muertos Día de los Muer·tos n. See Day of the Dead. [Spanish : día, day + de, of + los, the + muertos, pl. of muerto, dead.] , or Day of the Dead. Students also ate bread traditionally served on the holiday. ``One of the things that's important to me is that the classroom be inclusive, not exclusive,'' said Montoro. ``That's the rule for me.'' Montoro also sees to it that students spend time speaking Spanish to each other to practice natural conversations. ``She cares about every student in every single one of her classes,'' said Alice Petrossian, assistant superintendent for the Glendale Unified School District. At the after-school awards ceremony, Montoro received a standing ovation, a bouquet of flowers and congratulatory hugs. Montoro's family, including her husband, parents and siblings, were also on hand to share the celebration. Montoro will be among six teachers throughout the city this year who will receive the award sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. The award program was started in 1980 to honor outstanding classroom teachers in Glendale. Each teacher receives a plaque and a $100 honorarium HONORARIUM. A recompense for services rendered. It is usually applied only to the recompense given to persons whose business is connected with science; as the fee paid to counsel. 2. . It is named for John Delmonte, a former Glendale businessman and active member of the chamber's education committee. ``It is an individual award,'' said Vic Pallos, spokesman for the district, because John Delmonte believed individual teachers do not receive the attention they deserve.'' CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1) Catherine Montoro, honored for her teaching skills, spent five weeks at the University of Santiago in Spain last year in a class for Spanish teachers. (2) Teacher Catherine Montoro, center, of Toll Middle School, accepts a John Delmonte Award for Exemplary Teaching Skills as family members look on. Charlotte Schmid-Maybach/Staff Photographer |
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