Iktae Park
Web News Editor
English teacher Diana Sieker was recognized as the Mira Costa teacher of the year of 2011 on Apr. 18.
The Administrators and English department chairs surprised her second period class to recognize her selection. The rest of the staff was notified through an email sent by the principal Ben Dale later that day.
“When the entire administration walked in, I thought something was wrong. Then I saw that I’d won. It was a wonderful surprise,” Sieker said.
Sieker was nominated by her colleagues for the teacher of the year recognition and was voted on unanimously by the selection committee.
“Diana is a rigorous instructor, engaging her students using a variety of strategies, and challenging them to stretch their reading and writing skills. Her students love her class, and as a result leave with a love of literature and an ability to communicate effectively through writing,” Dale stated in his email to the staff.
Manhattan Beach Unified School District will send a member to observe Sieker’s class on Apr. 25 to evaluate her against the teachers of the year of other schools in the district.
“Its a really incredible honor. It means the world to me to be recognized for something that I love to do,” Sieker said.
Sieker has been teaching at Mira Costa for six years. She currently teaches four different classes of AP English, English 3-4 Basic, Student Academic Support and senior seminar classes on American literature of 1980s. Sieker previously taught at a private school in Beverly Hills for two years before coming to Mira Costa.
“Ms. Sieker’s an amazing teacher because she instills a love of English within her students; she doesn’t just teach textbook style, she inspires creativity and originality in her students’ work,” senior AP English student Alka Nath said.
Sieker is an English major from the University of California, Irvine. She lists her passions towards the subject of English and writing, and the time she spends everyday with her students as her favorite things about her job.
“Everyday I wake up excited about what I’ll learn from my students; every day is different and every day I learn something new, ” said Sieker.
The MBUSD School Board will recognize the district teacher of the year and the teachers of the year from every school in May. The district teacher of the year will be evaluated for recognition at the county level, then state level, and lastly, at the national level.
“We completely support Diana, and expect her to go all the way to be national Teacher of the year. On a staff of rock stars in the classroom, it is quite a remarkable accomplishment to receive this honor,” Dale stated.
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