05/22/2014 -
The Sonoma County Office of Education today announced that Lee Boyes, a high school science teacher and chair of Petaluma High School’s science department, was selected as Sonoma County’s Teacher of Year. She was among a strong and highly competitive pool of candidates nominated for this recognition by local school districts.
Lee Boyes has been a teacher for 32 years and has held her current position for two decades. According to Petaluma High School principal David Stirrat, her “remarkable combination of drive, innovation, caring, and intelligence make her the finest teacher I’ve seen in my 20+ years in education.”
Throughout her tenure, Boyes has demonstrated a passion for science education, teaching in ways that engage and inspire students and actively supporting them through difficult content. She doesn’t hesitate to contact parents to compliment a student’s achievement, warn of potential problems, or provide encouragement. She reaches out into the community to bring the real-world applications of science to her students and has worked with her department colleagues to organize and present an annual science career fair at her school. Each year, she invites elementary students to her classroom to see science demonstrations presented by her high school students. She sees this as an opportunity for the younger students to learn how science can be part of their future.
In addition to her role in the classroom, Lee Boyes has become a recognized leader on campus and across the district. She says that “improving the school as a whole is one of my callings.” This has led her to serve on the principal’s advisory council, join the district’s K-12 curriculum committee, and work at the district level on the sequencing of science classes. She has participated in research projects, presented at conferences, written curriculum, and trained other teachers. Recently, she has been assisting elementary teachers in developing Common Core-aligned science lessons.
Lee Boyes was selected for the Teacher of the Year honor following a review of nominations and a site validation visit. She will represent Sonoma County in the 2015 California Teacher of the Year program. Two other teachers were also recognized as runners-up by the Teacher of the Year selection committee:
Bonnie Raines, Third Grade Teacher
Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts
Santa Rosa City Schools
- Bonnie Raines, a founding member of the Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts, leads a class full of exploration and innovation. Each year, she and her students focus on an instructional theme that culminates in a performance connecting content from all subject areas. Raines has been a trailblazer at her school, leading professional learning opportunities for staff in math practices and close reading for language arts. She is a life-long learner who consistently reflects on her teaching with a goal of always improving.
Jim Boyce, Third Grade Teacher
Kawana Academy of Arts and Sciences
Bellevue Union School District
- Jim Boyce began teaching at Kawana School in 1984. Recognized for his dedication, Boyce instills confidence in his students, commands their respect and attention, and inspires them to reach their full potential. He played a leadership role in helping transform Kawana into a charter school that emphasizes the arts and sciences. He has joined with colleagues this year to create thematic units that integrate project-based learning, 1-to-1 technology, and the new Common Core Standards.
