Two LMU School of Education alumni, Shawn Boone and Daniel Gettinger, and one current student, Collin Felch, have been named recipients of the Los Angeles Unified School District’s 2013-2014 Teacher of the Year honor. The distinction, given this year to 21 teachers out of the more than 27,500 in the district, recognizes “exemplary and creative teaching, which helps make a difference in the lives of their students, their school and the community.”
Boone earned his M.A. degree in Elementary Education and teaching credential in 2004 as a student in the LMU/Teach For America Partnership Program. He currently teaches English, history, computers and creative writing at Global Studies and Technology Academy Middle School in Bell, CA, and has taught in LAUSD since 2002. Reflecting on his teaching, he says, “my students represent the growth and change of the global community.”
Gettinger was also a student in the LMU/TFA Partnership program, earning his M.A. degree in Urban Education and teaching credential in 2012. He works as an instructional coach at Huntington Park High School, where he has also taught algebra, pre-calculus and statistics. He is currently in his fourth year of teaching and a firm believer in the equalizing power of education, saying, “I believe all students are capable of achieving at a high level.”
Felch is currently pursuing his California Preliminary Administrative Services Credential through LMU’s Institute for School Leadership and Administration. He teaches math, economics and leadership at the Ambassador School of Global Leadership in Los Angeles. “I work this hard and am this dedicated,” he says, “because the teaching profession is not producing products to sell or make a profit. We are helping create and support the leaders of tomorrow.”
“Congratulations to these outstanding teachers,” said LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy, “who use their professional skills, talent, creativity and life lessons to instruct, encourage, push, prod and help students do better and excel.”
