Rally for Education 2008 The Napa Valley Education Foundation in partnership with the Napa Noon Rotary Club spent a great evening at Copia gardens on Sept. 26, honoring outstanding teachers of the Napa Valley Unified School District. Teachers, district employees and the Napa community were invited to an evening of wine, food, music (with the music performed by the Napa High School vocal workshop). This event was the presentation of the “Teacher of the Year” award for both groups and there was a great turnout. For the past 24 years Napa Rotary has presented Teacher of the Year awards and this was the second year that the Napa Valley Education Fund and Rotary partnered together. The goal of the Rally for Education is to honor and to take time out to thank all of the teachers in the NVUSD for their commitment, dedication and unselfishness in providing the youth of Napa an outstanding learning experience. This year’s nominees were: Gay Knight, JoAnn Clark, Katrina Roseler, Dace Rutland, Careten Tait, Jennifer Burns, Debbie Kirkpatrick, Angela Oster, Joanne MacDonnell, Sally Perkins, Joan Elias, Kris Stephenson, Harry Cadelago, Lisa Miller, Sara Villegas, Shauna Kadel, Mike Willmarth, Catherine Wallis, Julie Eastman, Patty Wyman, Marty Adams, Debbie King, Lori Welty, Karen Ferreira and Gale Ivy. Principals submitted nominees from their school sites to NVEF and Rotary, and selections were made against pre-determined criteria for both groups. At the end of it all, Rotary honored four teachers: Patty Wyman (Silverado Middle School); Mike Willmarth (Redwood Middle School); Lisa Miller (Napa High School); and Sally Perkins (Donaldson Way Elementary School). The focus of the Rotarian award was to recognize teachers who have impacted their students’ educational experience in ways that are not only lessons in the classroom, but life lessons that they will carry with them from now on — learning about the importance of community involvement. The NVEF board chose to honor Jennifer Burns of Bel Aire Park Elementary school because she exemplifies how one can incorporate technological tools into the classroom environment in a fun, creative way. Her project to use digital cameras and technology as a tool for helping her students overcome fears of public speaking was awesome. Her students went from being shy and uncomfortable to becoming confident public speakers who stood up in front of the classroom presenting their life story. Copia kindly donated the venue, understanding the importance to give back and to thank our teaching community here in Napa. The food was provided by local restaurants, including Rutherford Grill, Uva Trattoria, Villa Corona, Downtown Joe’s and Taylor’s Automatic Refresher. Paul Frommelt, of Trust Cooperage, secured an amazing selection of wines that were served, including Phipps Family Vineyards, Viansa, Duckhorn Wine Company, Freemark Abbey Winery, Patz & Hall Wine Company, Calix, Regusci Winery, the Winery Exchange, Dovetail Vineyards, Groth Vineyards & Winery, Napa Wine Company, St. Supery Vineyards, Cosentino Winery, Silverado Vineyards, Stags Leap Wine Cellars and Bouchaine Vineyards. The NVEF would like to recognize Nancy Mott, the event chair, and Napa Rotarian, John Woodbury for their time and diligence in coordinating a great event and selecting with their committees the honorees. Over 300 people were in attendance and it was just a perfect evening to thank our teachers for caring about our kids and our future. Thank you NVUSD teachers for all that you do each and every day at your school site from American Canyon through Yountville! We appreciate you all.