Lower Lake High School art teacher Frank Turdici, who is retiring after 22 years in Konocti, has been selected as the district”s Teacher of the Year. What stands out about Konocti teachers, according to incumbent Teacher of the Year Angie Siegel, is their love of students. “Working in Konocti is a trial by fire,”” she said in a guest speaker”s address, Wednesday, May 24 during a district recognitions program. “We have tremendous challenges but we have tremendous people who are stepping up to the challenges.” A resolution was read into the record on Wednesday honoring Turdici on his retirement. It states: “WHEREAS, Frank Turdici has been employed in the Konocti Unified School District for 22 years, serving as an art teacher, ceramics guru, class advisor, student government advisor, cross country and track coach, participating on many committees some of which are School Site Council, Senior Boards, Vocational Education, and BEST Team, and as he has given tremendous work as a STAR Test Prep and Attendance Recognition cheerleader, Senior Project Mentor, and where he has volunteered for anything and everything that students ask of him; and, “WHEREAS, He has been and will continue to be instrumental in directing students to seek careers and goals that include an aesthetic vision of life in any field students” choose, as long as it is with dedication and passion; and by challenging his students to participate in Vocational Fairs and Art Shows his students earned more medals and blue ribbons than any other schools, and for his countless excursions to Ashland and other points of interest; and, “WHEREAS, His dedication and love for children has been clearly evident by the numerous times that he has been selected by graduating classes to speak at their commencement exercise and where these speeches are fun, humorous and enlightening, they also are profound in such a manner they impact the students” lives, and through his senior awards, the plethora of pots he threw, his moving of mountains of clay and dung, and by being the St. Patrick of LLHS by ridding the campus of snakes; and, “WHEREAS, The students, and people of the Konocti Unified School District clearly recognize his ability and commend him for the outstanding example and influence he has had upon our children; and, “NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of the Konocti Unified School District does hereby commend and express appreciation to Frank Turdici for his dedication as an employee in this district for 22 years and extends to him best wishes for a happy retirement.” Asked how he felt about being named Teacher of the Year, Turdici said it was quite an honor. “I love the recognition from my peers,” he said but added that the honor of speaking at graduation means even more to him because it is an honor that comes from his students. The graduation ceremony takes place at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 9 on Sadler Field. “I”ll probably open a ceramic business out of my house,” Turdici said when asked about his plans for retirement. “I”m in the process of building a kiln.” Although Turdici will no longer teach in the Konocti district, he will continue as an instructor at Yuba Community College”s Clear Lake Campus. There, he will continue to have an effect on Lower Lake High School students. “Especially kids who are college prep; they take my evening courses,” Turdici said, explaining that the students don”t have time for high school art courses during the regular school day. Turdici”s teaching schedule at the Clear Lake Campus will include drawing, print making and art appreciation for Fall 2006. Contact Cynthia Parkhill at cparkhill@clearlakeobserver.com.
