CONEJO DISTRICT TEACHER HONORED.

Byline: Enrique Rivero Daily News Staff Writer

Kris Falde thought she was on her way to a staff meeting when she was called to the Walnut Elementary School library Thursday morning.

The roar of the 150 or so people gathered in the room and a presentation by Ventura County Superintendent of Schools Charles Weis revealed the real reason: The first-grade teacher had been chosen Ventura County Teacher of the Year.

``I thought I was going to a meeting, and when that door opened, my knees just started quaking,'' said Falde, 47.

Long after school ended Thursday, she was still reeling from the surprise.

``I'm absolutely overwhelmed by it,'' she said. ``Teachers are not used to seeing a lot of recognition, and you'd like to see every teacher have a day like this. It was certainly a surprise, and it was a beautiful day for me.''

As Ventura County Teacher of the Year, Falde will represent the county's 5,000 teachers in the California State Teacher of the Year competition next month.

Not bad for someone who started teaching only nine years ago.

``I was overwhelmed at that point, because there are teachers who have been teaching 20 years or 30 years, and some are mentors - teachers of teachers,'' she said. ``I was extremely honored.''

Principal Brad Baker said he learned of Falde's selection Wednesday and quickly arranged a big party to celebrate. He managed to round up Conejo Valley Unified School District board members Elaine McKearn and Dorothy Beaubien plus a large number of Falde's family and friends to pack the library.

``It was a thrown-together party, but it made it that much more special,'' Baker said.

Falde, who has lived in Thousand Oaks since 1973, said she was a stay-at-home mom before becoming a teacher. She decided to get her teaching credential after her son and daughter - who went through the Conejo school district system - were older.

She earned her credential in 1989 and a master's degree in curriculum and instruction in 1990 from Cal Lutheran University.

Late last school year, Baker nominated Falde for consideration as Conejo Valley Teacher of the Year. She was selected to compete for that honor in early July, Falde said.

For the Teacher of the Year competition, she wrote eight essays covering such topics as her philosophy of education, current trends in education, community service and educational background, she said.

She worked very carefully on those essays because she wanted the Conejo school district to look good. ``Because I was representing them, I wanted to do a good job at that,'' she said.

The essays stuck in the minds and hearts at the Ventura County Superintendent of Schools Office, which selected her to represent the county at the state level. The state Teacher of the Year will go on to the national competition.

``It's really unbelievable to me, but I certainly will do whatever I can and try to represent my district how I feel they should be represented,'' Falde said.

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Photo: Kris Falde, left, Ventura County Teacher of the Year , gets a hug from Anna Merriman at a party Thursday honoring her selection.

Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News