Willow Glen Resident
Education
Photograph courtesy of San Jose Unified School District
She's Tops: Kindergarten teacher Vickie Long was presented with a 'Teacher of the Year' award by her peers at Schallenberger Elementary for her many years of service and hard work.
Schallenberger teacher recognized by her peers as the best this year
By Mayra Flores De Marcotte
May 4 was a special day for one teacher at Schallenberger School.
Kindergarten teacher Vickie Long was presented with a "Teacher of the Year" award by her peers at Schallenberger for her many years of service and hard work.
"It was overwhelming and very exciting," Long says. "The staff was very kind and showed their full support by coming to the ceremony at the district office that day. It meant a lot to me to be recognized by my peers."
Long has been a teacher at Schallenberger School for 20 years. This is her first time receiving this award.
The "Teacher of the Year Award" is given annually on a school-by-school basis. Teachers vote for who among their peers they consider most deserving, San Jose Unified School District spokeswoman Karen Fuqua says.
The San Jose Teachers Association generates the awards.
Other winners this year include Jana Woods Herrera at Booksin Elementary, Mary Michele Wilmer at Canoas Elementary, Delia Trejo at Gardner Academy, Carolyn Hubbard Flanagan at Hacienda Environmental Science Magnet School, Jeff Sjobom-Powell at River Glen Elementary, Alicia Elizabeth Stanley at Willow Glen Elementary, Kimberlee Anne Lawson at Willow Glen Middle School and Leonor Robledo at Willow Glen High School.
Long's desire to enter the field of education was sparked by her own experiences growing up in Willow Glen.
She attended Lincoln Glen Elementary (now the Willows Senior Center), Markham Middle School (now Willow Glen Middle School) and Willow Glen High School.
"My teachers in elementary school were very nurturing, caring and kind," Long says. "They influenced me a lot."
That influence has led to a rewarding career in the San Jose Unified School District, where Long has taught for 33 years. But she admits to a bumpy start as a fourth-grade teacher at Hester Elementary School.
"My first teaching experience was very difficult," Long says. "Even after taking all the necessary classes at San José State University, until you have the experience, it is very difficult and overwhelming. But if you can survive the first year, you can survive anything."
That first bump did not deter her.
"Seeing how each student comes in to the classroom, academically, socially and emotionally and seeing the growth they have throughout the year," Long says. "It's amazing how much growth is done in one year."
Long says she learns from her students just as much as they learn from her and says, "I hopefully influence their lives as my teachers influenced mine."
