The Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) 2015 Teacher of the Year has earned another honor. Oluchi Okemiri is being recognized as October 2014's Teacher of the Month by KXTV News10, Sacramento State University, and Schools Financial Credit Union.
"It is a huge deal for me to be named the News10 Teacher of the Month. I consider myself privileged to receive this honor and I very much appreciate it."—Oluchi Okemiri
Leonard Willingham, Marketing Manager from Schools Financial Credit Union, visited Okemiri's classroom today to present her with a gift bag and a check for $1,000. KXTV also conducted an interview, scheduled to air during its 5 p.m. broadcast on October 14.
"It is a huge deal for me to be named the News10 Teacher of the Month. I consider myself privileged to receive this honor and I very much appreciate it," Okemiri said.
Okemiri teaches students with moderate to severe disabilities in a 4th-6th grade combination special day class at Prairie Elementary School—West Campus, located in the Elk Grove Unified School District. On a daily basis Okemiri plans and implements instruction in a structured classroom environment. She provides comprehensive support and direction to the para-educators working in her classroom, enabling them to work as a successful team with her in serving students.
"Teaching special education requires people with a particular set of qualities: professionalism, compassion, and sensitivity. Oluchi has those qualities and more," said David W. Gordon, Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools. "She celebrates any and all victories in her classroom every day with her students, parents, para-educators, and colleagues."
Okemiri has a Master of Science degree in Special Education from National University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. She is also co-founder of Word of Restoration Ministries, a non-profit organization that engages in community development, provision of clean drinking water, and rehabilitation of schools and churches in rural African villages.
During its 5 p.m. broadcast on the second Tuesday of each month, News10 salutes those who devote themselves to teaching and making a difference in children's lives. A ceremony will be held in June 2015 where one teacher will be named the "Esquire IMAX/News10 Teacher of the Year."