Milpitas Teacher of the Year

Editor's note: This is the first of three articles.

Mark Schoeller, English and reading teacher at Russell Middle School, was awarded Milpitas Union School District teacher of the year Monday afternoon in front of an audience at the Milpitas High gym.

"It may have something to do with home visits," he said. "When we aren't connecting, I'll go to the [student's] house."

Schoeller, who serves on the English learner committee and is an at-risk coordinator, said he was surprised to earn the distinction of teacher of the year for 2011 in the district.

Teachers who had received the recognition from their own campuses were up for the districtwide title.

At least three of them are retiring this year: Susan Demmert of Milpitas High, Steve Smith of Student Services and Candida Graves of Pomeroy Elementary.

Graves, a third-grade teacher, is set to retire next month after 31 years of instruction. Her husband, also a third-teacher in the Franklin-McKinley School District in San Jose, will retire one week ahead of her.

"I plan to have a clean house, get to pray and take care of my elderly mother," who is 93, Graves said Monday.

Curtner Elementary fourth-grade teacher Patrice Schwartz, who received the distinction of teacher of the year at her campus in 2008 and again in 2011, said, "I think so many people deserve the award, I kind of felt bad in a way."

She said she wanted to share the wealth.

Principal Todd Gaviglio said that at least three people had nominated Schwartz this year.

"She goes above and beyond her own classroom," he said. "She's generous with her resources with teachers newer in their careers."

On individual campuses, teachers who received the distinction on their campuses were: Dee Soper of Burnett Elementary; Patrice Schwartz of Curtner Elementary; Virginia Uyesugi of Pomeroy; Candida Graves of Rose Elementary; Linda Rodriquez of Randall Elementary; Christine Eugenio of Sinnott Elementary; Debbie Nauseda of Spangler Elementary; Alicia Padilla of Weller Elementary; John Charlesworth of Zanker Elementary; Luiz Lopez of Rancho Middle; Mark Schoeller of Russell Middle. Angelica Mendoza of Adult Ed; Dan Atwell of Cal Hills; Raquel Villalobos of Child Dev. Center; Carolyn Robinson of Correctional Services; Steve Smith of Ed Services. Milpitas High had three teachers this year: Susan Demmert, Letta Myer, Annie Nguyen.