Las Virgenes Teacher Lauded for Creativity

For the second consecutive year, a Las Virgenes Unified School District teacher has been chosen one of California’s Teachers of the Year.

Carole Firestone, a language arts teacher for the Gifted and Talented Education program at Lindero Canyon Middle School, was honored for her ability to motivate students and to bring real-world experience to the lessons.

“She challenges kids to reach their highest potential, and she develops beautifully wrought lessons and projects,” said her principal, Ronald Kaiser. “She’s always making real-world connections for kids.”

The 22-year teaching veteran said she was still in shock days after hearing of the state award.

“She becomes a model to which all teachers can aspire,” Kaiser said.

But as one of 12 honored this year, Firestone said she considers herself just one of many good teachers in the state. The key to being a good teacher, she said, is treating each student as an individual.

“I set high expectations, but reasonable expectations,” she said. “And you have to have a sense of humor or you’ll never survive.”

One of the most important things teachers can do, she said, is to show students how lessons learned in school apply to the real world. “I want them to see the importance of what they’re doing and use it in other places so it becomes real for them,” she said.

Last year, another teacher in the Las Virgenes Unified School District won the state honor, Kaiser said. The teacher, Sandy Fleishman, works at Yerba Buena Elementary School, which shares a campus with Lindero Canyon Middle School.

“We’re on a roll,” Kaiser said.

Firestone said it proves she is only one of many good teachers in the district. “It’s exciting,” she said. “I have somebody to turn to for advice.”