Chiefline 4.22.13
Washington State High School Physics, Chemistry and Engineering Teacher Jeff Charbonneau Named National Teacher of the Year
On Monday, April 22, CCSSO announced that Jeff Charbonneau, a 9-12th grade Chemistry, Physics and Engineering teacher in the state of Washington, is the 63rd National Teacher of the Year. Charbonneau, along with all 2013 State Teachers of the Year, will be recognized by President Barack Obama in a ceremony at the White House, on Tuesday, April 23.
Charbonneau teaches at Zillah High School (ZHS) in Zillah, Washington, where he has spent his entire 12-year teaching career. He has a Bachelor of Science in Biology and was a member of the William O. Douglas Honors College at Central Washington University, and holds a Masters of Education from Central Washington University. He is a National Board Certified teacher. He has received numerous awards, including various business donations and grants totaling more than $25,000 to support the ZHS Robot Challenge, of which he is founder and director.
Jeff also serves as the Zillah Education Association Co-President. He recognizes that many students see his course subjects as the "hard" science classes and welcomes the challenge to overturn that stigma, saying they are designed to be accessible. He has created interactive learning experiences, like the robot challenge, to help students develop confidence in their abilities.
"I greet my students in class every day by saying, 'Welcome back to another day in paradise,'" said Jeff Charbonneau. "The reality is that paradise must be built, maintained and improved each day. It removes the words 'can't,' 'too hard' and 'impossible' from our vocabulary. This concept has become my philosophy of teaching, as I foster self-confidence, academic success, collaboration and dedication within my classroom, school and greater community."
For more information about Jeff Charbonneau, click here. For more information about the National Teacher of the Year program, click here. To view Jeff's recent interview with CBS news, please click here.
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Randy Dorn
Washington Department of Public Instruction
Assumed Office: 1/14/2009
Washington
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National Teacher of the Year Program
The National Teacher of the Year program began in 1952 and continues as the oldest, most prestigious national honors program that focuses public attention on excellence in teaching.
CCSSO would like to thank the following Level I Partners:
CCSSO would also like to thank the following Level II Partners:
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