Deer Valley High School math teacher Maria McClain, was honored, recently by President Obama with one of the annual Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). It is the highest recognition that a kindergarten through 12th grade mathematics or science (including computer science) teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the United States. Up to 108 teachers are recognized each year. Since 1983, more than 4,400 teachers have been recognized for their contributions in the classroom and to their profession.

Presidential Awardees receive a certificate signed by the President of the United States, a trip to Washington D.C. to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities, and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.

“I am extremely honored to receive the Presidential Award as recognition of the commitment of mathematics teachers in providing rigorous and relevant curriculum that guarantees equity and access for all students. This award provides me the opportunity and responsibility to continue to advocate for changes in expectations and practices that will increase student engagement and achievement. Receiving this award ensures that my voice will be heard as I continue this work on behalf of all students.”

Maria McClain has been teaching mathematics for the past 28 years, the last 20 of which have been at Deer Valley High School, where she currently teaches Mastering Algebra I, Precalculus, Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus AB, and AP Statistics.

Maria believes in creating a classroom environment which supports and challenges students through the use of instructional strategies designed to promote exploration, critical thinking, and discourse. In her role as Mathematics Department Chair, she supports the transition to the Common Core by facilitating professional development and collaboration opportunities for teachers. She is dedicated to providing access for all students and has worked extensively to eliminate barriers that prevent students from enrolling and achieving in higher level coursework.

Maria has served as a District Mentor Teacher for the past 16 years and is the Lead Teacher of a California Academic Partnership Program grant designed to implement the Common Core and create a seamless transition from high school to post-secondary education. Her awards include Antioch Unified School District and Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year for 2015-16, and California Teacher of the Year Semi-finalist for 2016. She is National Board Certified in adolescent and young adulthood mathematics.

Maria earned a B.A. in mathematics from California State University, Sacramento. She is certified to teach preK–12 and adult mathematics.

For more information about PAEMST, visit https://paemst.org/.

2015-16 honoree, Deer Valley High School math teacher, Maria McClain will speak about her year

Vicki McGuire, teacher at Antioch’s Sutter Elementary, is this year’s representative from AUSD

Contra Costa County’s two 2016-2017 Teachers of the Year (TOY) will be announced at the annual TOY Dinner Celebration, held this Thursday evening, September 22. Two of the four finalists will go on to represent Contra Costa County in the California State Teacher of the Year Program. The county TOY program is presented by the Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE).

More than 400 attendees will be on hand for the dinner, which will be held from  6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Hilton Concord Hotel. The assembly will include the 21 celebrated TOYs, plus numerous educators (K-college), business executives (sponsors), local government, and local political representatives. The evening’s entertainment will be provided by the Hillview Junior High (Pittsburg) Jazz Band, directed by Diane Klaczynski. Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Karen Sakata will serve as master of ceremonies. Each of the three finalists, who will be introduced by a former student, will give an inspiring five-minute speech.  (The same speech as they gave at the TOY Speech Presentation in late August.) The evening will conclude in excitement and anticipation, with the announcement of the two 2016-2017 Contra Costa County Teachers of the Year.

After being named Teacher of the Year by their respective Contra Costa County school districts, then passing a rigorous application screening, followed by a panel classroom observation and interview, and concluding with a speech presentation, two of these four finalists will be selected to represent Contra Costa County as its 2016-2017 Teachers of the Year:

This year’s two Contra Costa County TOYs will join the long list of other finalists, dating back to the 1972-1973 school year. Along with the four finalists, this year’s other 17 TOY candidates will also be honored at this event (for complete list below).

Finalists:

Shauna Hawes teaches computer applications/technology to grades 6-8 at Valley View Middle School, in Pleasant Hill. The 18-year teacher has been with the Mt. Diablo Unified School District during her entire teaching career. Prior to her current position, Hawes taught 6th grade core (English, history, and reading) at Valley View. Before coming to Valley View, she taught 5th grade (all subjects) at Hidden Valley Elementary, in Martinez, from 1998-2007.

Gina Minder-Maldonado has recently begun her 26th year of teaching. For the past 18 years, Minder-Maldonado has taught at Oakley Elementary School, in Oakley. Currently teaching 2^nd grade, Minder-Maldonado’s former teaching experience includes preschool through 5^th, as well as adult education.

Summer Rodriguez has commenced her 17^th year as an educator for Liberty High School, in Brentwood. Rodriguez has taught all levels of high school English, AP English language and composition, and AP English literature and composition. In addition to her education duties, she has served as director of the school’s student activities through its Student Leadership Program.

Joyce Rooks began her career in teaching after serving as a senior programmer analyst/senior systems analyst for Mervyns, as well as an independent computer-training consultant. This year, Rooks has begunher 14th year teaching for the San Ramon Valley Unified School District, where she has served as an instructor for Dougherty Valley High, California High, and Coyote Creek Elementary. She has been teaching first and second grades for the past five years at Creekside Elementary, in Danville.

2016-2017 Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year Representatives:

Jamie Cackler Bennetts, Knightsen Elementary School District, Knightsen Elementary

Cynthia Boyko, Acalanes Union High School District, Miramonte High

Rachael Byron, San Ramon Valley Unified School District, Dougherty Valley High

Erin Dinday, Martinez Unified School District, Alhambra High

Krystal Figaroa, Pittsburg Unified School District, Stoneman Elementary

Daniel Yoshio Haley, Mt. Diablo Unified School District, El Dorado Middle

Shauna Hawes, Mt. Diablo Unified School District, Valley View Middle

Judy Jernigan, Lafayette School District, Lafayette SD Schools

Kristyn Loy, West Contra Costa Unified School District, Stewart Elementary

Judy Mazur, Walnut Creek School District, Buena Vista Elementary

Vicki McGuire, Antioch Unified School District, Sutter Elementary

Aminta Mickles, Contra Costa Community College District, Contra Costa College

Gina Minder-Maldonado, Oakley Union Elementary School District, Oakley Elementary

Dayle Okamitsu, Orinda Union School District, Wagner Ranch Elementary

Lawrence Pang, West Contra Costa Unified School District, El Cerrito High

Deborah Guillén Rocchild, John Swett Unified School District, John Swett High

Summer Rodriguez, Liberty Union High School District, Liberty High

Joyce Rooks, San Ramon Valley Unified School District, Creekside Elementary

Juliet Simens, Brentwood Union School District, Pioneer Elementary

Angela Taylor, Contra Costa County Office of Education, Parole Education Program Oakland Computerized Literacy Learning Center

Sarah Vieira, Byron Union School District, Timber Point Elementary

Note regarding eligible participants:

Sixteen of the eighteen Contra Costa County school districts, as well as the CCCOE are participating in this year’s TOY program.

Each year, one instructor from Contra Costa Community College District is submitted to the TOY program for his/her outstanding body of work with their designated college. The colleges rotate each year between Diablo Valley, Los Medanos, and Contra Costa. (These instructors do not compete in the State Teacher of the Year competition.) This year is Contra Costa College’s turn.

Due to the larger number of students and teachers in their districts, West Contra Costa USD, Mt. Diablo USD, and San Ramon Valley USD are allowed to submit two TOY candidates.

Follow Contra Costa County’s Teacher of the Year program on Twitter: #cocotoy

By Allen Payton

Ahead of the symposium in Antioch on community-police relations and 21st Century Policing, planned for this Saturday night, Antioch Police Chief Allan Cantando released a list of ways the Antioch Police Department engages with the community. (See symposium article, here)

“Please understand that this is the community engagement we have been doing for years, which just so happens to align with President Obama’s 21st Century Policing program,” Cantando stated. “We are engaged with our community because this is the best way to work in partnership and make our city a wonderful place to live.”

Following are the ways the department engages with the Antioch community. It is not necessarily a comprehensive list:

• Coffee with the Cops
• Pizza with the Police
• Volunteers In Police Services (VIPS) program
• Neighborhood Watch / Business Watch
• Police Explorer program
• Citizens Police Academy
• National Night Out
• Police Activities League (PAL)
• Hispanic (ESL – English as a Second Language) Coffee with the Cops at Holy Rosary Church
• Antioch Police Activities League
• Programs with the Junior Giants
• College Preparedness classes
• Etiquette classes
• After-School Skate
• After-School Bowling
• Field trips to sporting events for our youth
• Life After High School program to prepare kids for college
• Youth Leadership Program
• Annual charity golf tournament
• After-School Basketball program (in-progress)
• Legos and the Law program
• Social media outreach (Facebook / Twitter/youtube)
• PD Smartphone App to provide information to our citizens
• Crimereports.com that allows citizens to view crime in our city
• Running Man Video
• Visits to faith based organizations
• “Panther Tails” program where H.S. students run with our shelter animals
• Halloween Candy giveaway
• Holiday Food and Gift giveaway
• Visits and presentations at schools
• “Read Across America” program in our schools
• Rotary “Empowerment Program” focused at girls in high school
• “We’re looking out for you” program where waste disposal drivers  and postal carriers are trained to look for and report crime
• Monthly neighborhood clean-ups
• “Tip-a- Cop” events for Special Olympics
• “Torch Run” for Special Olympics
• Police Department Open House
• Quarterly presentations to City Council regarding crime and departmental updates
• On-going and pro-active dialog with NAACP and LULAC regarding community

While neither Cantando nor Captain Tammany Brooks, who learned about 21st Century Policing while attending the FBI National Academy in Washington, D.C., will be able to attend the symposium, they’re working with the organizers to schedule a future meeting regarding the issue. The discussion during Saturday’s forum will be about matters in general and not specific to Antioch, organizers have said.

The symposium, entitled Building Bridges & Tearing Down Barriers, hosted by the Antioch Community Team will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 24, at the Delta Bay Church of Christ located at 913 Sunset Drive in Antioch.

The forum for the seven candidates running for the Antioch School Board in the November election, hosted by the Antioch Herald, has been rescheduled for a final time to Friday night, September 23 at 7:00 p.m.

We apologize but, this is due to three of the candidates informing us, either yesterday or today, that they couldn’t attend the forum previously scheduled for tonight.

Associate Publisher Connie Woods will be the panelist asking the questions, City Clerk Arne Simonsen will serve as timekeeper and Publisher Allen Payton will serve as moderator, keeping track of the questions, answers and rebuttals.

The Antioch City Council candidates’ forum will still be held tomorrow night, Tuesday, September 20th at 6:30 p.m. and the Antioch Mayoral candidates’ forum will follow at 8:15 p.m.

All three forums will be held in the Antioch City Council Chambers at City Hall, located at 200 H Street, between West 2nd and West 3rd Streets in downtown. Each candidate will have the opportunity to ask two questions of fellow candidates and give two rebuttals. The audience will have the opportunity to ask questions of the candidates, as well.

A video of each forum will be made and will be shown later on one or more local cable TV access channels.

So be sure to attend and bring with you your best questions to be asked of the candidates.

By Sergeant John Fortner #3264, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

At approximately 12:07 PM, Antioch Police Officers responded to the Las Brumas Salvadorian Restaurant at 913 W. 10th Street on the report of a robbery. An employee called 911 and reported that two adult males entered the restaurant and ordered everyone to get down on the ground. The suspects threatened to shoot people if they did not comply but no guns were seen.

The victims complied and the suspects stole cash and fled from the business on foot. No gunshots were fired, and the victims were not injured during the incident.

Officers conducted an extensive area check, but the suspects were not located at that time. At approximately 1:45 PM, and a short distance away, officers responded to a call from the Antioch Credit Union located at 301 G St. stating that the bank was just robbed by two male suspects.The suspects stole cash and fled the bank on foot. There were no injuries in this incident either.

During an area check, officers located two subjects matching the robbery suspects’ descriptions near the Antioch Amtrak Station.

Both suspects attempted to flee on foot but were quickly captured and detained. Evidence of the crime was recovered from the suspects. Both were identified as the suspects who committed the bank robbery, and one of them was also identified as a suspect who committed the restaurant robbery. Both subjects were arrested and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility. Their identities are not being released at this time.

This incident is currently under investigation.

Any further information or additional press releases will be provided by the Investigations Bureau at 925-779-6926. Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non emergency line at (925) 778-2441. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

By Don Martin, II

Antioch, CA…September 17…Another loaded six division All Star Series racing program entertained the crowd at Antioch Speedway Saturday night, and there were several new faces in the winner’s circle.  Carl Berendsen II made sure he would not be the first driver in track history to win two championships without a Main Event victory as he won the 20 lap A Modified feature.  The Winged 360 Sprint Car division saw its 11th 20 lap Main Event winner in fourth generation racer Colby Johnson, while Jeff Decker fell just short in his bid to repeat as DIRTcar Late Model champion despite his second 20 lap feature win of the season.  Nick DeCarlo was doing double duty this week, and he climbed into the Lloyd Cline B Modified for a 20 lap Main Event win.  Rookie Guy Ahlwardt used his fourth 20 lap Hobby Stock feature win to clinch the track championship, while Josh Miller won his first 20 lap Dwarf Car Main Event.

With four time champion Troy Foulger back in the Bill Bowers owned car and Duane Cleveland back to go for his second win, Carl Berendsen II picked a great night to get his fist career A Modified Main Event victory.  The win had further significance for the second generation racer as he clinched his second A Modified championship in the last three years.  Cleveland’s bid for victory came up just short in second, but he managed to hold off Foulger, who is still looking for his first win of the season.  Two time reigning Petaluma champion Nick DeCarlo and Trent Wentworth rounded out the Top 5.

Troy Foulger was doing double duty in the Bowers Racing DIRTcar Late Model, and he joined Richard Papenhausen as a heat race winner.  Papenhausen’s Main Event ended early, but he had enough of a point lead that he still clinched his second championship in the last three seasons.  2015 champion Jeff Decker had Foulger giving chase, but he would prevail for his second win of the season.  He gained significant ground on Papenhausen, but it wasn’t quite enough to get him the track championship.  Shawn DeForest drove the House Car to a solid third place finish ahead of past champion Andy Obertello and Terry Kuntz, who was piloting the Paul Guglielmoni owned entry.

Each generation of the family that has followed Hardtop Legend Johnny Franklin has had at least one racer among them.  On Saturday night, great grandson Colby Johnson came to town with his Winged 360 Sprint Car to make a run for the money.  Johnson won a heat race along with recent Southern Oregon Speedway winner Aaron Miller.  Johnson had his hands full with point leader Billy Aton, but he drove a great race to earn his first career feature victory.  Second place finisher Aton added a few points to his slim lead over Art McCarthy in the hotly contested championship battle.  McCarthy finsihed fourth behind another newcomer, Cody Hodgson.  Jenna Frazier completed the Top 5.

Nick DeCarlo got to do double duty and had a strong night of his own in the B Modifieds.  After joining point leader Trevor Clymens in the heat winner’s column, DeCarlo had to contend with Clymens in a good Main Event battle.  DeCarlo would score a well earned victory, but Clymens came that much closer to the track championship with his second place finish.  Marysville star Phillip Shelby returned to town in the hopes of winning his second Main Event, but he settled for a third a place finish ahead of two time winner K.C. Keller.  For the first time, the three Brown brothers competed against each other.  Two time Limited Late Model champion Ron Brown finished fifth ahead of brothers Randy Brown and Kevin Brown.

Continuing the trend of heat race winners doing well in the Main Event, Guy Ahlwardt and Frank Furtado won their heat races and battled at the front of the Hobby Stock Main Event.  Ahlwardt recently announced that he is planning a move up to the B Modified division, and he celebrated his new track championship with his fifth win of the season.  Furtado ran strong in second ahead of 2010 champion Chris Sorensen.  It’s looking more likely that Lindsey Buirch will rank second in the standings following a fourth place finish ahead of Jordan Swank.

Rounding out the program were the Dwarf Cars, where one of the heat winners didn’t do so well in the Main Event.  David Rosa hit the wall in the Main Event in what was a hard crash.  Fortunately, he walked away unscathed.  Josh Miller has done some traveling this season, but he returned to end the point season with an impressive victory. Chuck Connover had a solid night with a second place finish, following his heat race victory.  Kevin Miraglio wrapped up his championship season with a third place finish.  Second generation racer Preston Humphrey returned to his Dwarf Car roots and finished fourth as Buddy Kniss wrapped up his “Rookie Of The Year” season with a fifth place finish.  Like Ahlwardt, Kniss will be moving up to B Modifieds next season.

Point racing concludes next week with an exciting program of Winged 360 Sprint Cars, Wingless Spec Sprints, A Modifieds, B Modifieds, Limited Late Models and Hobby Stocks.  For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

Unofficial Race Results
DIRTcar Late Models
Heat Winners (6 Laps)-Troy Foulger, Richard Papenhausen.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Jeff Decker, Troy Foulger, Shawn DeForest, Andy Obertello, Terry Kuntz, Dennis Souza, Travis Meyerhoff, Papenhausen, Rob Norris, Mike Hynes.
Winged 360 Sprint Cars
Heat Winners (6 Laps)-Aaron Miller, Colby Johnson.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Johnson, Billy Aton, Cody Hodgson, Art McCarthy, Jenna Frazier, Miller, Wayne Katen, Craig Frandsen, Jesse Colwell.
B Modifieds
Heat Winners (6 Laps)-Trevor Clymens, Nick DeCarlo,  Main Event (20 Laps)-DeCarlo, Clymens, Phillip Shelby, K.C. Keller, Ron Brown, Randy Brown, Kevin Brown, Chuck Golden, Al Johnson, Mike Mates, Shane DeVolder.
A Modifieds
Heat Winners (6 Laps)-Troy Foulger, Mike Salazar.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Carl Berendsen II, Duane Cleveland, Foulger, Nick DeCarlo, Trent Wentworth, Salazar, Aaron Crowell, Sean O’Gara, Bobby Motts Jr., Bobby Montalvo, Scott Busby, Anthony Slaney, Josh Combs.
Dwarf Cars
Heat Winners (6 Laps)-Chuck Connover, David Rosa.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Josh Miller, Conover, Kevin Miraglio, Preston Humphrey, Buddy Kniss, Charlie Correia, Devan Kammermann, Chris Becker, Tim Reeder, Toby Brown, David Rosa, David Michael Rosa, Timmy Ryan, Mike Corsaro (DQ).
Hobby Stock
Heat Winners (6 Lps)-Guy Ahlwardt, Frank Furtado.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Ahlwardt, Furtado, Chris Sorensen, Lindsey Buirch, Jordan Swank, Joe Ridgeway, Gene Haney, Anthony Vigna, Michael Cooper, Cameron Swank, Tobi Madden.

Need for civic-minded citizens to help throughout the county in November

Kelly Davis and her fellow Contra Costa volunteers have an early wake-up call on Election Day, but most of them don’t mind the long hours.

Each of them has their own unique reasons for being poll workers. And the Contra Costa County Elections Division is looking for civic-minded men and women to join them on our Election Day Team.

Davis, of Orinda, is motivated to get out of bed on Election Day and stay energized throughout the day to raise money for foster children.

Monnie Segelke of Danville and Maude DiVictor of Richmond both find helping voters fulfilling and they enjoy seeing neighbors and familiar faces at their polling places.

Julie Southern of Antioch, like several volunteers, grew up in families who emphasized civic participation.

“I enjoy being involved in the democratic process, and there’s no better way than being a poll worker because you’re involved in the nitty-gritty,” Southern said. “I can say I’m a part of history.”

The November 2016 election will be an historic one as a new President and state Senator are elected. Voter turnout is anticipated to be the highest it has been in years.

As a result, Contra Costa Elections has more opportunities for volunteers to be poll workers than in years past.

No prior experience is necessary and training is provided.  Poll workers receive a stipend for their service, which includes attending a mandatory two-hour training and working 6:00 am to 9:00 pm on Election Day.

Participants receive a special pin denoting their service.  Serving as a poll worker does not have any bearing on Social Security or unemployment status, according to State law.

County and State employees are encouraged to apply.

Bilingual citizens are strongly encouraged to volunteer. High School students who are at least 16 and have a grade point average of 2.5 or above may serve as poll workers.  Student poll workers will receive a stipend and may fulfill community service requirements.

For more information, visit www.cocovote.us or text “cocoteam” to 28683.

Those who might be interested should email eo@vote.cccounty.us or call the Elections Division at (925) 335-7800, option 1.