To celebrate educators who have had an impact on the community, the Santa Clara County Office of Education annually sponsors the Teacher of the Year awards. Each district selects a teacher who has demonstrated exemplary hard work and creativity in his or her approach to education.

Honoree and 30-year educator Carol Schelling, who teaches post-senior education classes for the severely disabled at the Campbell Community Center, said she was "shocked" to hear she had been selected. But according to Campbell Community Center Special Education Principal Nancy Guerrero, Schelling was the only one surprised at the announcement.

"When her colleagues heard that she had won," Guerrero says, "they made comments like, 'Well it's about time,' and 'Well deserved.' She received a standing ovation."

Guerrero says she met Schelling 20 years ago when she took over Schelling's class while Schelling was on maternity leave.

"I saw the curriculum and materials she was using," Guerrero says. "We are still using some of them to this day."

Schelling teaches severely handicapped students between the ages of 18 and 22 who are finished with high school but need a transition program to help them acquire independent-living skills or what she calls "functional academics." Students learn how to use public transportation, cook, budget their money responsibly and use time efficiently.

A big part of her job, Schelling says, is to provide her students with vocational training. She approaches local businesspeople to try to find employment for her students. She says she has students who work at places like Walgreen's, Fresh Choice and Ross.

But, although important, vocational training and acquiring basic living skills are only one part of Schelling's philosophy. She says she also tries to develop students' self-esteem and ability to speak up for their own needs.

Recently, Schelling worked on developing a set of steps students could follow to facilitate student-led meetings, which are state-mandated meetings that post-senior education students direct with their teachers and parents.

"The students practiced [the program] at school and surprised their families with being able to lead their own meetings," she says. "It helps them learn to advocate and speak up for themselves. For some, it is too easy for them to have decisions made for them."

Schelling says watching her students become more independent and assertive is one of the most enjoyable aspects of her job.

"Working in post-senior education is exciting and challenging," she says. "The students are moving from school to an adult-type program. I work with students and their families to see what the students' choices are and to see how the program can help them."

However, Schelling insists that she is just one part of a much larger system that works to foster self-sufficiency in the students it serves.

"The post-senior education program has many excellent teachers," she says. "To be picked out of such a wonderful group is an honor."