By Julia Alley
Staff Writer
Mira Costa’s administration and staff members voted Associated Student Body Activities Director Lisa Claypoole as Teacher of the Year and the Manhattan Beach Unified School District honored her and other MBUSD Teachers of the Year at the Board of Trustees meeting on June 1.
Teacher of the Year is an award that is given to one Costa teacher every year to recognize their outstanding performance. The award began in the 1990s and remains an important part of recognizing staff who makes a difference, Manhattan Beach Unified Teachers Association President Shawn Chen said.
“Offering teachers a chance to be recognized, especially at this time of year when we are hardest on ourselves for all the goals we feel we did not accomplish, is a way to give our teachers the recognition they deserve for a job well done,” Chen said.
In the spring, Costa staff and teachers nominate candidates for the award. The candidates can come from any department. Those nominees are then recommended to a selection committee put together. The committee includes Costa administrators and heads of departments. After they review the options, they then vote for Teacher of the Year.
“To me, my coaches and teachers were a positive influence on me. I feel there’s no way to give back to them but to give back myself,” Claypoole said.
This year marks Claypoole’s 19th year working as the activities director for Mira Costa. Claypoole currently serves as Costa’s ASB director and activities director. She also teaches U.S. Government and U.S. History.
“Her efforts include everything from student elections, to homecoming, prom, and other key events which serves as rites of passage in American high school mythology,” Chen said.
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