Lights, Camera, Action! Walnut Valley USD honors the 2020-2021 Teachers of the Year during the 24th annual Salute to Teachers virtual recognition premiering January 19 at 4 p.m. Click link to view: https://youtu.be/xU1oKYPwU_I.
January 21, 2022
By Kelli Gile, WVUSD Office of Community Resources
Excellence in Education
Walnut Valley USD Pays Tribute to Teachers of the Year
WALNUT, CA—Walnut Valley Unified School District celebrated an extraordinary group of educators during the 24th annual Salute to Teachers virtual awards on January 19.
The 2020-2021 Teachers of the Year serve with courage and commitment and share a passion for making a positive difference in the lives of their students.
Congratulations to the following honorees: Julie Urbaniec – Castle Rock Elementary, Angelica Infante – Chaparral Middle School, Rachel Harrington – C.J. Morris Elementary, Stephanie Johnson – Collegewood Elementary, Melody Fernandez – Evergreen Elementary, Barbara Vanderheyden – Diamond Bar High, Samantha Trejo – Maple Hill Elementary, Geri Smith – Quail Summit Elementary, Marla Rickard – Ron Hockwalt Academies, Debra Brady – South Pointe Middle School, Kim Flick – Suzanne Middle School, Laura Saenz – Vejar Elementary, Sylvia Chen – Walnut Elementary, Kellee Lyons – Walnut High School, and Vicki Kim – Westhoff Elementary.
Deputy Superintendent of Educational Services Dr. Matt Witmer and Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Dr. Diane Perez hosted the recorded event with congratulatory messages from Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor, Board of Trustees President Dr. Tony Torng, and WVEA President Lisa Peterson.
“These fifteen Teachers of the Year represent of over 700 teachers in Walnut Valley,” said Superintendent Taylor.
“Today is your special day where we recognize you and we say thank you!”
At the culmination of the presentation, Sylvia Chen was announced as the 2021 District Teacher of the Year.
Sylvia has taught fourth grade Mandarin Dual Language Immersion at Walnut Elementary for the past five years.
Being an English Learner after moving here from Taiwan in the sixth grade ignited Sylvia’s passion to support her own dual-language students who face similar obstacles in speaking a non-native language.
Her mission is ensuring each student feels seen and all curriculums relevant to their personal lives to make learning meaningful.
"I invite you to reflect on the past two years with me with a grateful heart - because a lot has happened," Sylvia shared about the fast-paced education pivots due to the pandemic.
"I'm grateful for the simple fact that we all get to be around each other again!"
Prior to the program, District leaders delivered gift baskets to honorees filled with generous donations from community supporters.
Each Teacher of the Year received an engraved apple award courtesy of the Walnut Valley Educational Foundation.
A special thanks to the following Salute to Teachers sponsors: Massage Envy, Schools First Federal Credit Union, Chaffey Federal Credit Union, Sandy Best – McGriff Insurance, Complete Business Solutions, Walnut Valley Administrator’s Association, Yogurtland, and School Portraits by Adams Photography.
In addition, the top teachers received certificates of recognition from Congresswoman Young Kim, Senator Josh Newman, Assemblyman Phillip Chen, City of Diamond Bar, and City of Walnut.
The 2021 Salute to Teachers program may be viewed at www.wvusd.org.
Shown:
Recognizing Excellence! Meet Our 2020-2021 Teachers of the Year.
Top Teacher! Sylvia Chen from Walnut Elementary School is the 2021 WVUSD District Teacher of the Year.