Area Teachers, Schools Win Money for Education

For their efforts to increase student achievement, San Fernando Valley teachers and schools received awards and grants of as much as $10,000 Thursday at the first Los Angeles Educational Partnership’s Excellence in Education Awards at the Hotel Intercontinental in downtown Los Angeles.

The organization honored a team of teachers at Welby Way Gifted / High Ability Magnet School in Canoga Park, and Maclay Middle School and Haddon Avenue School, both in Pacoima, for “exemplary educational practices,” particularly in helping students with reading.

The Lowman Special Education Center in North Hollywood was recognized for its efforts to integrate the community with its students, who have disabilities ranging from autism and mental retardation to blindness and orthopedic impairments.

Throughout Los Angeles, 10 teams of teachers, three schools and four school-community projects received recognition for their work with students in pre-kindergarten through the 12th grade.

The winners were selected by educators and community members from nearly 100 entries from within the Los Angeles Unified School District. Applicants had to document student achievement, then a screening committee visited each site or set of teachers.

Winners must use the grants to improve student achievement, for example, by taking classes or enhancing curriculum.

With funding support from the Ahmanson Foundation, the Excellence in Education Awards were developed by the Los Angeles Educational Partnership, a nonprofit organization that works with educators, business leaders and community members to improve public education.