September 19, 2008

Sally Starz Named MetroED Teacher of the Year

Metropolitan Adult Education Program (MAEP) supervisor and parent education teacher, Sally Starz, has been named the MetroED 2007-08 Teacher of the Year. Starz will be honored at the Santa Clara County Office of Education’s 39th Annual Teacher Recognition Day on Sept. 22, at the Heritage Theatre in Campbell.

Starz began at MAEP 15 years ago when she began working at Discovery Parent-Child Preschool in San Jose. At the time, Discovery was part of MAEP’s parent education program. She still teaches at Discovery several days a week and serves as a site supervisor at MAEP’s Campbell Adult Education center.

Sally Starz

“Sally Starz has served as a mentor teacher to others, supported teachers and parents in nine bay area preschools and planned workshop strands of parent education for teachers at local and statewide conferences,” MAEP Director, Sylvia Karp, said. “MAEP is truly fortunate to have such a creative, dedicated and skillful leader on its team.”

Starz says that “Every day is a new adventure!” At the Discovery Preschool, her class consists of an equal number of parents to pre-schoolers: in the morning she guides three to four-year-olds, and in the afternoon, her class is filled with two-year-olds. Starz focus is on engaging children in experimental, age-appropriate learning activities rather than “teaching” preschoolers to read. Starz says that learning by “doing” gives the children confidence and makes them stronger, better people.

In 1990, Starz received the Lifetime Teaching Achievement Award from the California Council of Parenting Participation Nursery Schools (CCPPNS). In May, Starz received an Excellence in Teaching award for the 2007-08 school year from the California Council for Adult Education.

Starz’ colleagues describe her as a quick thinker, dependable and efficient. She is a thoughtful problem-solver and a low-key but extremely effective leader. Starz’ leadership helped her build a partnership with San Jose Unified School District to use First Five Funds to establish three parent participation preschools. The program, which was established five years ago, met its goal and then some, by raising the API scores in schools that previously did not have access to early childhood education.

Starz has represented MAEP at the Bay Area Parent Education Network (BAPEN) for the past 10 years and has been instrumental in organizing parent education workshops at local and statewide conferences.

When Starz is not teaching, the Morgan Hill resident enjoys traveling, biking and hiking with her husband of 32 years, Ken Johnson, and her two grown sons, Alan and Matt Johnson. The avid third-generation quilter graduated from the University of Minnesota and received her degree in Home Economics in Textiles and Clothing. When she first came to California 20 years ago, she earned her Adult Education credential and is currently working on her Supervision and Coordination credential.

“Sally is truly a gem to MAEP and we are pleased to recognize her as a Teacher of Excellence,” Karp said.