LAKE COUNTY — “Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Alan Siegel of Lake County, California, as California”s 2005 Teacher of the Year,” Congressman Mike Thompson said in front of Congress in May of 2006.
That year, Siegel, 55, a High School teacher, was one of five teachers selected as California”s 2005 Teacher of the Year. He was the first “continuation school” teacher to be awarded that honor.
Even before being presented with the award, Siegel had an idea of what the award would mean to him.
“If I win it”s because of the school,” he told himself.
“To me it was always about rewarding Carl?” High School.”
As the years after his award go by, the significance of the win has increased, he said, because it opened the doors for teachers of other alternative schools and programs to be recognized with the award.
With the win, Siegel, who has been teaching for 27 years, was able to become part of the State Teacher of the Year selection committee. He”s been part of the committee since 2007. Last year, Siegel said, the committee”s pick was selected as the National Teacher of the Year.
Siegel was also selected by the California Department of Education to be part of the distinguished schools committee as well as the state exemplary programs committee, which decide what schools can be labeled as distinguished or exemplary.
His involvement in those committees has given him opportunities to secure several grants for Carl?” High School, he said. The school has received thousands of dollars that have been used for scholarships as well as the purchase of equipment and other materials. They have also received equipment such as computers and other technological tools from donors.
That, however, is not the full extent of the advantages of being part of those committees.
Perhaps the most rewarding part, he said, is being able to reward other teachers for their work with students.
“Thirty-five thousand teachers in California and I get to pick the top 12,” he said.
“Our jobs are coming to school prepared every day,” he said. “I get to reward people who do that.”
Lastly, Siegel thanked Superintendent Wally Holbrook and the Konocti Unified School District Board of Trustees for supporting him with a role that takes up a lot of time and energy in conjunction with his regular job as a teacher. He added that he looks forward to continue working in the committees.
“I will do it as long as they want me,” he said.
Isaac Brambila is an associate editor for Lake County Publishing. Reach him at 900-2020 or at ibrambila@record-bee.com.
