DIAMOND AT QUARTZ HILL; HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER IS HONORED.Byline: John Sanders John Sanders is the name of
When Quartz Hill High School Quartz Hill High School is a public, co-educational high school located in Lancaster, California. Founded in 1964, it is the third oldest comprehensive high school in the Antelope Valley High School District (AVHSD). teacher Ira Simonds retires in about seven years, he wants to look back on his many years of teaching and say it was worthwhile. So far, so good. Simonds can add something new to his distinguished resume: 1999 Teacher of the Year for the Antelope Valley Union High School District The Antelope Valley Union High School District (A.V.U.H.S.D.) is located in the Antelope Valley area of California, in northern Los Angeles County. The district includes eight public high schools, one trade school, and two continuation high schools in the cities of Palmdale . ``I think I'm still up there on cloud nine, and I don't want to come down,'' Simonds said. ``I never expected this, but I'm real happy I have it.'' Simonds is in his 31st year as a teacher at Quartz Hill High, where he went to work after graduating from San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. State College, now known as California State University, Northridge CSUN offers a variety of programs leading to bachelor's degrees in 61 fields and master's degrees in 42 fields. The university has over 150,000 alumni. It's also home to a summer musical theater/theater program known as TADW (TeenAge Drama Workshop) that leads teenagers through an . Simonds focuses on teaching kids different skills, along with history. ``I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. how much history I teach them, but I teach them a lot of other things,'' he said. His style of teaching focuses on helping kids learn how to think and communicate and other skills. Administrators and students agree that Simonds deserves the award. ``He's a great asset to our staff,'' said Quartz Hill High Principal Barbara Willibrand. ``He's an excellent teacher and an excellent role model.'' Students also think highly of Simonds. ``I think out of all the teachers of Quartz Hill High, he actually puts his time into the students,'' said 17-year-old junior Jenny Wolfrank. ``He gives all his effort towards the students more than any other teacher on this campus.'' Junior Nick Scalzi said that Simonds is a great teacher and that ``he gets involved with the kids.'' On May 25, Simonds was honored in a ceremony at the Essex House. Simonds received a pin, and his photo will be hung at every high school in the district as well as the district office. In September, when the next school year starts, he will receive a plaque as well. ``Everything has its ups and downs ups and downs pl.n. Alternating periods of good and bad fortune or spirits. ups and downs Noun, pl alternating periods of good and bad luck or high and low spirits , but generally it's been real positive,'' Simonds said. ``I love the kids.'' CAPTION(S): Photo PHOTO (Color) Quartz Hill High School teacher Ira Simonds was named 1999 Teacher of the Year for the Antelope Valley Union High School District. Jeff Goldwater/Daily News |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion