San Francisco, CA—Mayor Edwin M. Lee will honor nine outstanding San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) educators as the Mayor’s 2015-2016 Teacher and Principal of the Year tonight at a San Francisco Giants Pre-Game Homeplate Ceremony at AT&T Park for Teacher Appreciation Month.

“San Francisco teachers and principals make a profound impact on our youth every day,” said Mayor Lee. “I am proud to honor this year’s nine awardees for preparing our young people for a bright future. Thank you to all our educators for your commitment to our students and the passion that you bring to our classrooms.”

“These teachers and principals bring their best selves to work in order to serve students and families every day,” said SFUSD Superintendent Richard A. Carranza. “Their jobs are challenging and they rise to the challenge with the utmost professionalism. I am pleased to join the Mayor in recognizing this year’s award winners.”

Tonight, Mayor Lee will recognize the work of nine influential educators who each represent different grade levels: Preschool, Elementary, Middle and High School. These awardees were nominated by people in their community – students, parents, colleagues, educators, and other community members – for excellence in their classroom, their school and their City.

In partnership with the Mayor’s Office, SFUSD, and the San Francisco Education Fund, the annual Mayor’s Teacher of the Year Award honors five San Francisco teachers who are passionate for and dedicated to the education of our City’s young people.

The five Mayor’s Teacher of the Year recipients are:
•Rhonda Jefferson, Pre-K, Presidio Early Education School
•Mark Rosenberg, 3rd Grade, Monroe Elementary School
•Kathy Angus, 4th and 5th Grade, Argonne Elementary School
•Helana Corda, 6th Grade Language Arts/Social Studies, James Lick Middle School
•Tomokazu Morikawa, 9th-12th Grade World Language/Japanese, George Washington High School

Mayor Lee also recognizes four Mayor’s Principal of the Year Award recipients every year to celebrate their dedication, professionalism and hard work on behalf of San Francisco students. This special recognition is a collaborative effort with the Mayor’s Office, SFUSD, and United Administrators of San Francisco.

The four Mayor’s Principal of the Year recipients are:
•Lindsey Keener, Principal, San Francisco Public Montessori Elementary School
•Jean Robertson, Principal, Glen Park Elementary School
•Carline Sinkler, Principal, Herbert Hoover Middle School
•Julie Kessler, Principal, San Francisco International High School

The nomination and selection process for the Mayor’s Teacher and Principal of the Year Award occurs yearly. Nominations are accepted throughout the year. For more information, go to: www.sfgov.org/teacheraward and www.sfgov.org/principalaward.

Mayor Lee will honor all the Mayor’s Teacher of the Year Award recipients today at a San Francisco Giants Pre-Game Homeplate Ceremony at AT&T Park for Teacher Appreciation Month in the Month of May. Each of the nine awardees will receive a monetary award, a crystal apple from Tiffany & Co. and an array of gifts and contributions from generous San Francisco institutions including the California Academy of Sciences, The Exploratorium, Beach Blanket Babylon and other organizations including Golden State Warriors, San Francisco 49ers, Rickshaw Bags, Starbucks and many others.

All winners will also be celebrated at the Inaugural Spark SF Gala on May 18th. For more information about the event, go to: http://sparksfpublicschools.com/gala/.