VENTURA : 5th-Grade Teacher Is County’s Best

A fifth-grade teacher at Ventura’s Saticoy Elementary School has been named Ventura County Teacher of the Year for 1992, county school officials announced Monday.

Patricia L. Chaney, a 19-year teaching veteran who has worked with numerous local and worldwide volunteer organizations, was selected by a panel of educators from among five teachers countywide.

“I love to teach,” said Chaney, 46. “I set high expectations, and kids that haven’t succeeded before can succeed. If they do, it’s self-perpetuating.”

In her classes, Chaney encourages her students to write in every subject area, including science and history, with a particular emphasis on science and health issues.

A graduate of UC Riverside, Chaney received a teaching credential from the University of La Verne and a master’s degree from Azusa Pacific University.

Before joining the Ventura Unified School District, Chaney served as a volunteer teacher with the Peace Corps in Morocco.

She has also volunteered with church and nonprofit organizations in Mexico, Korea, Kenya and Zaire.

Chaney is part of a three-teacher team that has drafted an AIDS curriculum for district students from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Chaney “represents the best of the teaching profession in Ventura County,” a statement from county schools officials said.

“She thrives on the challenge of meeting the diverse needs of her students.”

Chaney’s name will be submitted to the state Department of Education as the county’s nominee for California Teacher of the Year, said county Assistant Supt. Charles Weis.

The other four nominees were Joan Hendrickson of the county superintendent of schools office, Patti Post of Ventura High School, Susan Measures of Bard Elementary School in Port Hueneme, and Rhoda Vestuto of Maple Elementary School in Thousand Oaks’ Conejo Valley Unified School District.