This teacher is a passionate professional who deeply feels a commitment to students and teaching. This person is a dedicated teacher who seriously lives her responsibilities and works diligently at achieving student success.

It has been stated that this teacher continues to develop as a professional in a leadership capacity by continuing the role as leader, setting an example for standards of excellence among peers. Colleagues rave about this teacher's ability to maintain an "up close and personal" relationship that closes and binds the professional gaps that on many occasions have separated others from their professional colleagues.

In reviewing this individual's file looking over letters received over the years the same statements are repeated, "... maintains an exemplary program, and strives for excellence, ... is to be commended on the continuing efforts and willingness to share experiences and expertise with peers." One parent's letter spoke of the personal phone calls and encouragement given to their student and how much they were all inspired by this teacher's enthusiasm and obvious love of teaching.

Our Teacher of the Year attended USC where she received her Bachelor's of Arts degree in 1970. She was awarded her secondary credential at California State University, Long Beach. She and her husband have a daughter who is also a USC graduate and is working with an events company in New York.

This colleague began at Claremont Unified School District as a substitute teacher in 1971 and then was hired as a foreign language teacher at Claremont High School and has been there for her teaching career. The school site administration has come to rely on her expert leadership, historical perspective and compassionate supportive personality to guide and supervise when needed; and her gentle, compassionate touch to encourage and uplift in a timely manner. She has served as Department Chair for Foreign Language for a number of years, assisted with WASC accreditation, participated in the UCI Foreign Language Project COACH and has been active in curriculum development over the years. She is a lady at all times, a dedicated wife, mother, daughter and devoted friend! She's been known to kiss a pig and even helped a colleague's parent through a firedrill!!

It's with great pleasure I present to you, the Board of Education, Dr. Smith and the staff and the community, the 2006 Claremont Unified School District Teacher of the Year - Stephanie Salamon.