TORII STATION, OKINAWA , JAPAN — August 15, 2008 — Dr. Nancy Bresell, Director, DoDDS-Pacific/DDESS-Guam is please to recognize the selection of the Teacher of the Year candidates for 2009.

Guam - Ms. Jan Goldhorn teaches music at the McCool Elementary/Middle School. According to the District Superintendent, Goldhorn is an exceptional teacher who has enriched the lives of thousands of students. Goldhorn has been with DDESS-Guam since 1997, serving in several schools as a music educator. She believes that working within the communities and fostering partnerships advances student achievement to encourage greater learning.

Korea - Mr. Chad Casciani joined DoDDS in August of 2000 and accepted his first assignment at Seoul American Elementary School where he worked in two separate positions as an Early Childhood Educator from 2000-2004 and as Literacy Facilitator from 2004-2006. In the fall of 2006, he transferred to Daegu American School (DAS) as the school Literacy Facilitator and currently teaches Kindergarten. Casciani is very involved with students, parents, and the community. All students who enter his classroom count.  He works with students daily and describes his classroom as student centered. A visitor to his classroom would see students actively engaged in various structured, multi-leveled ‘learning centers’ simultaneously throughout the day.

Japan - Mrs.Deirdre McAlpin teaches fifth grade math, science, and health at The Sullivans School in Yokosuka, Japan. A teacher for six years, she has been involved with DoDDS as a former student, parent of high school students, and as an educator. She finds using real world experiences are an important part of teaching and reaching students today. She believes education should have connections and meaning for students – it is not good enough to just “know” it. Within a collaborative environment, McAlpin feels students gain a lasting understanding of the world so they are better prepared for the future.

Okinawa - Ms. Kathleen Smith teaches second grade at Kadena Elementary School.  Smith was nominated by her principal, Mr. Stan Hays, based on her outstanding character and dedication to “Highest Student Achievement”. “Ms. Smith possesses many of the exceptional qualities that one looks for in an educator,” he stated. “She is caring, concerned, dedicated, organized, knowledgeable, perceptive, articulate, and conscientious. She is an important part of the Kadena Elementary School team and we are lucky to have a teacher of her caliber.”

“We are fortunate to have an excellent selection of educators from each district who can work magic with our students.  Individuals selected as District Teacher of the Year underscores a strong commitment to the children of military families," explained Bresell.