VALLEY EDUCATORS NAMED TEACHERS OF YEAR.

Byline: Sharline Chiang Daily News Staff Writer

Two teachers from San Fernando Valley schools were among five educators Thursday to be named PacificCare's Middle School Teachers of the Year.

Shirley Francis, a veteran teacher at Ernest Lawrence Middle School in Chatsworth, and Pamela Croft Malak, a math teacher at Madison Middle School in North Hollywood, were among the teachers honored Thursday during a luncheon at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles.

Francis, who lives in Simi Valley, helped start Lawrence's first decision-making class and is the adviser of an on-campus student volunteer group.

Malak, a Northridge resident, helped to establish a math program tailored to students with limited English abilities and launched a program at Madison that encourages all students to learn algebra by the eighth grade.

The other three teachers honored were Pilar Bundy, at George Washington Carver Middle School in Los Angeles; Northridge resident Rona Cole, a math teacher at Irving Middle School in Los Angeles; and Betty M. Hickman, a life science, health and computers teacher at Henry Clay Middle School, also in Los Angeles.

The five educators were selected from a pool of 28 nominees districtwide. Each finalist received a check for $500 and a trophy. In addition, the honorees received certificates of recognition from Mayor Richard Riordan. The winners were picked by a panel of business and education professionals.

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PHOTO Among PacificCare's Middle School Teachers of the Year are edu cators Pamela Croft Malak, left, and Shirley Francis.

Tina Gerson/Daily News