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Poway Unified Announces its District
Teachers of the Year
Barbara Charlebois, Shari Lyon, and Tanya
MacMartin
receive honors
The Poway Unified School District is proud to announce that Barbara Charlebois, Shari
Lyon, and Tanya MacMartin have been chosen as Poway Unified School District Teachers
of the Year for 2004-2005.
A committee of representatives from PTA, school administrators, and past winners
selected the three district Teachers of the Year. They have all designed exemplary
learning programs for their students.
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Barbara Charlebois
Student Services Teacher Coordinator, Physical Education Teacher
Mt. Carmel High School
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Each June, the high school football field
becomes a sea of shiny red robes as hundreds of Mt. Carmel seniors prepare to
graduate. Barbara Charlebois walks down the lines of seniors on graduation evening,
stopping often to congratulate the students she has reassured during more difficult
days. "To see students you have mentored, guided, schooled, and supported walk
the line, pick up their diploma, and celebrate success is the greatest accomplishment
of my teaching career," said Barbara.
As Student Services Teacher Coordinator, Barbara spends each day as an advocate for
her students. She develops an environment where students learn to address difficult
issues and trust in themselves. She encourages parents and teachers to work together
to support the students.
"Student Services meets kids in their reality, and validates how they feel, and
only then will they trust us and believe we can help," said Barbara. This
site-based assistance program, funded through state and federal grants, provides
services for students and their families when life circumstances are creating powerful
roadblocks. The issues are sometimes as serious as using drugs, depression, being in
trouble with the law, severe family circumstances, and feeling torn from family and
school. Finding a way to connect with parents, students, and teachers and validate the
students so they can become successful on their own is Barbara's challenge. She holds
"Rise and Shine" meetings with parents who come in to make a plan with their
student to foster success, she meets with teachers often, and encourages students to
take on responsibilities and become independent thinkers.
Barbara also works with Mt. Carmel students in many venues of community service.
Students have raised funds for wheelchairs for victims in third world countries, for
gifts of food and clothing for low income families, and teddy bears for the Polinski
Center. Student mentors work at Midland, Valley, and Los Penasquitos elementary
schools. "I have seen students turn their 'me, myself, and I' attitude around.
The generosity of students and staff has always made me proud to be a Sundevil!"
Barbara said.
Barbara has worked in the Poway Unified School District for 29 years. At Mt. Carmel
High School, she coached volleyball for 17 years. She received her Bachelor of Science
degree in Physical Education and Biological Sciences and her Master of Arts degree in
Physical Education from San Diego State University.
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Shari Lyon
Drama, Yearbook and Journalism Teacher
Twin Peaks Middle School
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Shari Lyon's inspiration to become a teacher originates from the book, "Up the
Down Staircase," and a love of learning. Her greatest accomplishments are her
students. Drama is her passion, and many students have heard her say, "If you are
in my class you are in the play!" Shari encourages confidence, excellence, and an
"I can do it" attitude for all students. Struggling readers, English
Language Learners, and reluctant performers have found success in the world of art and
theater thanks to Shari's efforts. Her focus on having students learn about and begin
a lifelong appreciation for the arts has resulted in performances with 200 students
(half of them middle school age boys) celebrating shows such as "The Music
Man."
At Twin Peaks Middle School, Shari and her students can be seen everywhere, pitching
in to fill requests. She has created the BackPacktheatre, a group of 12 dedicated and
advanced actors who rehearse three times a week. The group has acted as victims during
the annual disaster drill, mime greeters for Back-to-School Night, and made videos
about Academic Honesty and Character Counts. Other students who are interested in
technology and music join the DJ Club playing student musical selections at lunchtime,
recording the Spelling Bee and word-free versions of music for Airbands. Shari is the
co-advisor of the LEO Club where students' community service work has provided more
than 600 pairs of prescription glasses for the needy.
One Teacher Appreciation Day, Shari found a cut-out of an apple filled with the
cursive pencil writing of a young person. The letter said:
Dear Ms. Lyon, You were my first teacher. You taught me to believe in myself, to
always try my best, to never give up, to think for myself and be patient with myself
and others. I will always remember you and all you taught me. Love, Casey
Shari was astounded by what the letter said and by the identity of the sender. Casey
is her son, and was eleven when his teacher gave the class the assignment to write and
thank a teacher. Shari had an "Aha" moment, realizing parents are teachers,
the first teachers their children have. She realized that in order to be a totally
effective teacher, she had to connect with and acknowledge the first teachers - the
parents of her students, and respect that first important teaching connection. Shari
believes we are all teachers - children are teachers of each other, teachers are
students' teachers, and parents are a child's first teacher.
Shari received her Bachelor of Arts degree from UCLA and her teaching credential from
UC Berkeley. She is on the board of directors of the San Diego County Drama Advisory
Board and Patio Playhouse and was the founder and director for WINGS Youtheatre, and
educational trustee for the La Jolla Playhouse.
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Tanya MacMartin
Seventh and Eighth Grade Science teacher,
Bernardo Heights Middle School
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Tanya MacMartin's personal mission statement
is, "Make it memorable." A student described Tanya as a "tour
guide" of science. Her goal each day is to create a way for students to learn
through experience - either in a lab activity, or other inquiry-based adventure.
Tanya's desire to create a passion for science in her students results in a classroom
filled with exciting challenges for students each and every day. Infusing technology
into the curriculum, students now use a wireless camera attached to a microscope and a
document camera to help with reading technical information. Students too queasy to
participate in class dissections can follow the curriculum on a wireless laptop.
Parents receive emailed lesson plans and important information each week.
"Science should not be just a collection of lessons, but also a collection of
experiences. My ultimate goal and proudest accomplishment is to create the passion for
science in my students." Tanya provides opportunities for lower-academic students
to feel successful. She strives to create a love for science and encourage students to
pursue honors and AP science courses in high school and explore a career in a
science-related field. She hosts the Bernardo Heights "Careers In Science"
program which provides lunchtime speakers such as an entomologist, volcanolgist,
chemist, and physicist to discuss their careers with students.
Tanya has found that girls have less support and smaller representation in scientific
fields. She encourages girls to apply for AAUW's (American Association of University
Women) Tech Trek Math and Science camp during the summer, as well as programs
sponsored by the San Diego Science Alliance. She is an instructor at Chapman
University, a summer instructor for Tech Trek Math and Science camp for girls, and has
led student travelers to unforgettable experiences to Costa Rica and the rainforests
of the Amazon.
Tanya was the Southern California representative to the National Congress in Science
Education and is an executive board member on the San Diego Science Educators
Association. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Cal Poly State
University and a Masters Degree in Cross-Cultural Education from National University.
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