 Jim
Caswell, CCEA State President (right), presented
the 2003 State Teacher of the Year award to George Gallaher at the 2003 CCEA State Conference
in San Francisco.Mr. George Gallaher, our teacher of
the year from Yosemite High School in Merced (District V), has had the
“complete and full pleasure” of working in Continuation education for 32
years. During that time George has been involved in most every aspect of
the school. For example, he played an integral part in writing the grant
and then developing the Student Electronic Accountability System (SEAS)
database at school that is an easy method of tracking student progress
towards ESLRs, SCANS and CAHSEE standards. He has been instrumental in the
publishing of the school yearbook for eight years, organizing a student
council, intramural sports program, and student store. George successfully
sought funding avenues that have kept the yearbook free of charge to all
students.
George states, “I work after school for two periods
giving students the opportunity to make up deficient credits. This program
has been in effect for six years. My dedication is shown in part by the fact
that I start my school day at 6:00 a.m. and have done this throughout the
years that I have had the opportunity to be an educator. Several years ago,
I ran a program where students beautified the campus. We put in a sprinkling
system, planted flowers, trees and built benches for student use during
lunchtime and breaks.
Every student who comes through my door is treated as a
special and unique individual. Respect begins at the door where each student
is greeted individually as they enter the classroom. At the end of each
period, I thank each student for their efforts and acknowledge their
achievements.
My lessons are aligned with state content area
standards to prepare students for the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE).
I record students’ progress daily on the Student Electronic Accountability
System (SEAS) that I developed. Teachers utilize SEAS and students can
receive immediate feedback on their progress towards completing ESLRs,
SCANS, and yearly progress in reading and math, STAR testing results and
CAHSEE standards.
My instructional lessons build on a student’s existing
skills and talents in order to extend students’ abilities even further. A
student’s potential is nurtured through individualized and group instruction
designed to challenge and engage each student in the learning process. I
also try to build upon students’ career goals and interests. Classroom
assignments require students to research various occupations and develop
educational plans to achieve their stated goals.”
Positions held by George include: chairman of the Mentor Teacher Committee,
president of the local district teachers’ association, originator the first
career center in the District, and usher and Sunday school teacher at his
church. Further community involvement consists of participation in a
community counseling program, assistance as a board member of the local CASA
(Court Appointed Special Advocates) chapter, three years as a volunteer for
the Bridge Center (a counseling center for battered, raped or abused women),
and working for many years on the city’s clean-up committee and with Habitat
for Humanity.
These are just a smattering of the different facets of
the educational and community life in which George has enriched the school,
district, and community with untiring concern for humanity. George continues
to find new fronts to be effective in serving, and he truly personifies that
spirit of helping and having an impact on others without hesitation and each
endeavor has truly been a job well done.
Some of the comments made by students include, “
teaches so that you can understand it”, “it makes sense without big words’,
and “ says funny things to make it fun”, is the unofficial “school”
photographer; making sure pictures are preserved of student activities. Each
year for graduation an expert multimedia program and commemorative CD set to
music is produced that showcases the graduating students in various school
settings and events. Family and friends enjoy the presentation while
awaiting the start of the graduation ceremony. George is and has been a
most significant influence in the school’s WASC accreditation process.
One student wrote, “Mr. G. cares about students and
works to make learning fun. He has a way of telling jokes while teaching
that makes you want to be in his class and learn. He seems to always be
happy and never has a bad day. You can actually tell that he likes coming to
school everyday. He always notices when a student misses school and always
say something funny and lighthearted to let you know he noticed you were not
in class. It makes you feel good and like you really should have been at
school and not missed his class. I have been at Yosemite High for two years
and have gotten to know Mr. G. in that time. I could have transferred back
to my comprehensive high school, but because of Mr. G., and the other
teachers like him at Yosemite, I chose to stay. I am a person at YHS! I am
noticed by him and teachers like him.”
Mr. George Gallaher can be contacted at Yosemite High
School in Merced, (209-385-6425). |
