SACRAMENTO – “The Big Spin®” show aired Saturday, June 12, 2004 and featured Dawn Gamberale of San Diego who received the Lottery’s “Exceptional Educator” Award from Assemblymember George Plescia. Gamberale is an outstanding teacher who not only teaches advanced chemistry courses at Rancho Bernardo High School, but also makes time to serve as a science docent at L.R. Green Elementary in San Diego.
Gamberale’s passion for science began when she had a successful career in toxicology. She uses her real-world experience to show kids at all levels the importance of science in our society. High school students are motivated to design their own experiments, to participate in national chemistry contests, and to seek careers in science beyond high school. Elementary students are engaged with creative activities and games which excites them about the learning process. It also leaves them with a solid foundation in science on which to build.
The California Lottery’s “Exceptional Educator” Award has been presented on “The Big Spin®” television show since April of 2001. The Lottery enlists legislators and state officials to present these awards which recognize outstanding teachers whose extraordinary efforts help California students to succeed.
In 2003 the California Lottery contributed $1 billion to public schools for the third consecutive year and is on course to meet this goal for a fourth consecutive year.