Teacher of the Year 1998 - 1999

Kent H. Kraemer

Mount Toro High School, Salinas, California -  District IV

[ Teacher of the Year Index ]

A retired Naval Officer who targeted continuation high school teaching for his second career, Kent Kraemer has only been teaching a few short years, but already he has made his mark. This social studies and business teacher is convinced that students can learn and will succeed, when their learning environment meets their individual needs and interests. He blends a combination of traditional teaching methods with the more innovative strategies which work so well with at-risk students.

He provides opportunities for his students to engage in lively discussions which yield a win-win situation for them, thereby empowering them to become successful. He utilizes what he calls "high tech - high touch" which is the integration of technology into the classroom with high academic expectations. He diligently works to improve students' self-esteem in the belief that this will have a positive impact on their future. But, he does not ignore the areas of improvement in literacy, computational skills and awareness of the world around them. Kent strives to be a good role model for his students. His principal says that Kent has single-handedly turned the culture of the school around in a positive manner.