By Gassia Ashikian
News Editor
Costa Choir Director Michael Hayden received District Teacher of the Year on June 5 at the Manhattan Beach Unified School District Board of Trustees meeting.
Along with Hayden, the Board recognized the seven other Teachers of the Year from each MBUSD school at the meeting including Donna Barney, Isabel Estevez, Doris Giambra, Michelle Legaspi, Nancy Roberston, Susan Stelter and Erica Yerke.
“It was very humbling yet extremely exciting to receive this award,” Hayden said. “I was so pleased and happy to be named Teacher of the Year for both Costa and the school district.”
After Director of Educational Services Caroyln Seaton announced Hayden as the winner, Costa Principal Dr. Ben Dale and Mira Costa Muscle, an after-school a cappella group, performed a rendition of “He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” for Hayden.
“It was such a great and exciting surprise to see,” Hayden said. “I had no idea that they were coming in to sing for me.”
Students from all schools showed their support for their school’s teacher by attending the Board meeting with supportive signs and matching t-shirts.
“I couldn’t be any happier,” Pacific Elementary School teacher Stelter said. “I was thrilled that so many students showed up to the meeting. It makes me feel so appreciated as a teacher. I feel like I am representing all of the great teachers in our district.”
To choose the District Teacher of the Year, the MBUSD Teacher of the Year committee went through a series of 30-minute interviews with each of the teachers and conducted 30-minute observations of each teacher in class.
“Every year it is very difficult to choose only one teacher,” Seaton said. “This year was the most difficult decision our committee has experienced.”
According to all teachers nominated for District Teacher of the Year, it is a very rewarding feeling to be nominated for such an honorable award.
“I am very excited about being chosen because this is my 45th year teaching in the Manhattan Beach school district,” Giambra said. “I still feel the fire inside of me, and I just love going to work everyday.”
Hayden plans to continue on improving his teaching skills with his students by using new techniques and continuing to master his craft.
“I think what I do best is to try and figure out ways to teach my students as efficiently and creatively as possible,” Hayden said. “I realized what works best is to be descriptive and specific when I’m communicating with the choir students.”
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