DUBLIN – Romani Kaplan was named District Teacher of the Year for the Dublin United School District (DUSD) and Hepzibah John was named DUSD Class Officer of the Year.
Announced on March 31, DUSD superintendent Chris Funk said it was impossible to “get sick” of his incredibly talented and dedicated service staff.
“The work they do every day helps not only shape the lives of our students, but also the future of the world we live in,” Funk said. “Their ability to do so at such a high level of excellence in such a challenging time is a testament to their character. While all of our staff deserve recognition, it is a great honor for me to note some of these incredible people nominated by their colleagues. Thank you to all our award winners and all our staff for everything you do every day. ”
Kaplan has 14 years of teaching experience, the last five at Dublin High School. She was an important part of the team responsible for creating the new Intensive English Course 1 and devotes many hours to her students.
“She helped create an amazing program that we update every year,” the DUSD press release said. “It’s amazing to work with her, because she always has new ideas – from her research, external courses and a brilliant brain in general. Romani is an avid educator who is constantly striving to develop an innovative and inclusive curriculum for his students. ”
Further in the district it was reported that John is an assistant for teaching preschoolers in special day classes of primary schools DUSD. In her issue, the district praised her as an exemplary worker.
“She is always positive about our students, encouraging them to be as independent as possible, whether it’s taking off their jackets, matching games or art classes,” the release said. “Hepzi has a unique ability to see a student’s individual strengths and uses those strengths to promote perseverance in challenging tasks.”
DUSD also received peer nominations for the Teacher of the Year award. Teacher of the Year DUSD on the school website for 2021-2022:
Amador Elementary: Monica Chin, Kindergarten
Cottonwood Creek K8: Taiba Tahir, fourth grade
Dougherty Elementary: Lisa Kiernan, Kindergarten
Dublin Primary School: Adriana Rocha, fourth grade
Dublin High: Romani Kaplan, English
Fallon Middle: Sean Healy, The Art and History of the English Language
Frederiksen Elementary: Bradley Dobzhensky, third grade
Green Elementary: Julie Nilsson, first grade
Kolb Elementary: Colin Henry, Kindergarten
Murray Primary: Michelle Masuda-Nash, fourth grade
Wells Middle: Sarah Quintero, The Art and History of the English Language
York Alternative Learning Center / VLA: Felicia Suminski, Kindergarten
Outstanding staff members were nominated as peers and were then presented in the appropriate categories for the Alameda County Office of Education’s Classified Staff of the Year competition. Employees of the year on school websites:
Stationery and administrative services: Kim Gael, Wales High School
Preservation and maintenance services: Roxana Pineda, Dublin High School
Food and Nutrition Services: Maria Santana, Cottonwood Creek K8
Health and Student Care: Lauren Vasana, Murray Elementary School
Paraprofessional Services: Hepzibah John, Dublin Primary School
Security Services: Linda Hunt, Dublin Primary School
Qualified Services: Queen Richmond, Dublin United School District
Technical Services: Darrell Chapman, Fallon High School
DUSD serves 12,900 students from preschool to adult education in the suburbs. The district has eight primary schools, two secondary schools, one K-8 school, one alternative secondary school and one comprehensive school, the other under construction.
This group will receive additional recognition during a ceremony to be held at a regular DUSD board meeting on May 10th. For more information, visit dublin.k12.ca.us.
