JoEllen Shanks, a second grade teacher at Stone Lake Elementary School (Elk Grove Unified School District) and Deb House, a sixth grade teacher at Kingswood Elementary School (San Juan Unified School District) were honored by the Sacramento Scottish Rite Bodies of Freemasonry at an event on April 20.
The two Sacramento County Teachers of the Year 2010 spoke to the gathering about what inspired them to join the teaching profession, about the importance of teaching every child, and about the vital importance of supporting public education, particularly during these challenging economic times and shrinking budgets. Mrs. Shanks and Mrs. House each were presented with a commemorative plaque and an apple trophy by Lew Wentworth, a representative for the Scottish Rite.
The Grand Master of Freemasons for the State of California declares April as Public Schools Month each year. This tradition started in 1920 when the first Public Schools Week was introduced. The occasion later became Public Schools Month and it has been a yearly tradition ever since. The purpose of Public Schools Month is support quality public education, free to all citizens, and to emphasis public education as a fundamental asset in our country.
On Monday, May 3, all 15 of the Sacramento County Teachers of the Year 2010 will be honored during Teacher Appreciate Night when the Sacramento River Cats host the Salt Lake Bees at Raley Field. On February 5, before thousands of cheering and supportive fans, the Teachers of the Year 2010 were honored on the court at ARCO Arena during the Sacramento Kings/Phoenix Suns game.
The Sacramento County Teachers of the Year Program is presented by the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) in partnership with Maloof Sports and Entertainment, the Sacramento River Cats, the Intel Corporation Folsom and the
Sacramento Scottish Rite Bodies of Freemasonry.