08/05/2020 -
Santa Rosa City Schools’ sixth grade teacher Ross Hause has been selected as Sonoma County Teacher of the Year. Hause teaches at Luther Burbank Elementary School in Santa Rosa. According to the nomination, he is instrumental in creating a Burbank Family where he says “kids feel safe with a deeper sense of belonging that drives them to work harder in their academics, and parents feel more welcomed and part of our school community.”
Hause was recognized by Luther Burbank principal Debi Cardozo for rising to the challenge of distance learning and supporting students, families and school staff during COVID-19. “From creating a virtual career day to providing academic support to a former student that relocated to Sacramento,” said Cardozo, “Mr. Hause went above and beyond to serve students during this unprecedented time. In addition to meeting the needs of the students in his class, he volunteered to assist with Chromebook and hotspot distributions for our site, and assisted staff with challenges they were having with Zoom, Google Classroom, and other educational platforms.”
“After the school year ended,” said Cardozo, “Mr. Hause’s students asked if he would continue to offer class Zoom sessions during the summer so they could stay connected. In response, Mr. Hause is now volunteering his time to host a Zoom session once a week and continues to post assignments to his class website so his students can continue to stay engaged in learning over the summer.”
“During this time where all schools are navigating uncharted waters, teachers like Mr. Hause lead the way and help us all find a path forward to serving students through distance learning and COVID-19,” said Steve Herrington, Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools.
To be eligible for this prestigious award, educators must have taught for at least eight years. They must write a three-page letter showing how they’ve: Worked to close the achievement gap for their students, demonstrated educational leadership in their school, fostered 21st century teaching practices, contributed to the success of their school, and involved the community in the classroom. This letter is submitted along with letters of support from a school administrator and a colleague.
In recognition of his achievement, Hause will receive a $3,000 award from Community First Credit Union and will be submitted as an applicant for the prestigious 2020-21 California Teacher of the Year award.
The Sonoma County Office of Education will host a socially distanced Teacher of the Year celebration for Hause on Friday, August 7, at 12:00pm outside its Teacher Learning Center at 5340 Skylane Boulevard, Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa City Schools’ Superintendent Diann Kitamura and Luther Burbank School Principal Debi Cardozo will join Dr. Herrington along with David Williams, chief marketing and human resources officer, from Community First Credit Union, to celebrate Mr. Hause. The event is not open to the public because of social distancing/safety constraints, but the media is welcome to attend.
For more information contact Jamie Hansen, director of communications, at 707-524-2620.
