Carlentine nominated "Educator of the Year"

Dan Carlentine has served 33 years in the Berryessa Union School District. He recently earned honors as one of 10 nominees chosen as "Educator of the Year" through submissions sent in from five different counties within California.

Since Carlentine began working in the schools, he has served as a classroom aide and teacher. Most recently, he was a counselor at Sierramont Middle School but is now serving at the district office part time to put together the School Attendance Review Board. He plans on retiring fully at the end of this school year.

Regardless of his official role, peers say Carlentine's first priority as an educator is to meet the needs of the ever-changing student population. He has used different techniques and activities involving students, teachers, and parents to make the difficulties of middle school, as students cross the barriers between childhood and adulthood, as meaningful as possible.

Below are some of the things Carlentine has been involved in throughout the years:

Implemented conflict resolution in the middle schools.

Met with parents of at-risk students before the school year. He got to know these families and had the students sign a contract of behavior so that they can commit to having a successful school year.

Served as a member of the district budget committee.

Met with new teachers to help them with discipline techniques, the individual needs of students and how to communicate with parents. Coordinated career day at

Ortiz

Berryessa teacher Andrea Ortiz was installed as president of the Santa Clara County Reading Council at the Pacific Hotel at San Jose History Park in May. Ortiz is a fifth-grade teacher at Brooktree Elementary School and her theme for the year is "Reading is Paradise."

The Reading Council, an all-volunteer group, is affiliated with the California Reading Association and the International Reading Association.

Ortiz follows in the footsteps of former Berryessa teachers Jill Bohn and Sharon Uyeda as president of this 47-year-old organization.

Emperador

Air Force Airman Ryan C. Emperador graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

Emperador is the son of Leticia and Jose Oineza of San Jose and is a 2008 graduate of Independence High School.

Gatbonton

Air Force Airman Angela Cher N. Gatbonton has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

She is the daughter of Abraham Gatbonton and Jocelyn Winter of San Jose and is a 2008 graduate of Piedmont Hills High School.