Sacramento – On Tuesday, September 18, 2007 State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell, Lottery Director Joan Borucki and representatives from the Oakland Athletics came together at McAfee Coliseum to present the Teacher of the Year Award. The Teacher of the Year Award was presented posthumously to 8th grade teacher Caralee Marquardt of Los Cerros Middle School in Danville. Accepting the award on her behalf were her daughters Mindy and Monica Marquardt, her sister Tina Carpio, Los Cerros School Principal Lisa Ward and nominator Kim Marasco.
Marquardt was selected for her extraordinary contributions to the classroom. She taught both English and Core History at Los Cerros for 10 years and previously taught elementary school. Marquardt is described as someone who truly inspired her students to do well and excel in their studies. Unfortunately, Ms. Marquardt passed away in July 2007, but left a lasting legacy with those she taught.
“The California Lottery is proud to have such a dedicated individual as our first Teacher of the Year,” said Lottery Director Joan Borucki.
This is the first year that the California Lottery and the Oakland Athletics teamed up to honor local teachers. Parents, students, and members of the community were encouraged to send in nominations to the Oakland Athletics for the Teacher of the Year award. Participants were asked to write a letter of 100 words describing the ways the teacher’s extraordinary efforts led to success in the classroom.
For high resolution copies of this photo please contact Olga Gallardo, California Lottery Communications Office, newsroom@calottery.com.
Photo Credit: Daniel Gullahorn, California Lottery.
The California State Lottery contributes at least 34 cents of every dollar that players spend on Lottery products to public education and returns more than 50 percent of sales to players in the form of prizes. Since its inception in 1985, the Lottery has contributed more than $19 billion to California schools out of total sales of more than $52 billion. Retailers win too, earning $3.3 billion in compensation since 1985.