UNIVERSAL CITY, LOS ANGELES, Sept. 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A total of 16 teachers from a variety of local school districts were named today as the "best of the best" in Los Angeles County public schools for this academic year.

The educators, who teach a range of grades and subjects, were announced as the 2007-08 Los Angeles County Teachers of the Year. (See list on next page.) Selected by judging panels from a contestant field of 64 district-level teachers of the year, the "Sweet 16" is comprised of nine women and seven men. They represent the profession's elite from a total pool of 85,000 teachers countywide.

Los Angeles County Supt. of Schools Darline P. Robles made the announcement at a morning hotel ceremony held just prior to an awards luncheon to recognize all 64 competitors, who represented 50 districts. The competition was organized by the Los Angeles County Office of Education and presented in partnership with California Credit Union and other sponsors.

"These 16 teachers have been judged by their peers as shining examples of this shining profession," said Robles about the winning group, each of whom received $1,000 honorariums during the ceremony. "They represent the very best of the best! We're so proud to honor each of them today."

Now in its 26th year, the L.A. County TOY competition is the largest in the state and is part of the nation's oldest and most prestigious honors contest for school teachers. The number of county winners -- 16 -- is determined by program rules based on the total number of teachers in the county.

The county winners automatically advance, with other county titlists from around the state, to the California Teachers of the Year competition this fall. The state is scheduled to announce its five (5) co-winners in November. But only one (1) of those state co-winners will be chosen to represent California in the National Teacher of the Year contest next spring.

The L.A. County competition called for essays, lesson plans, resumes, letters of reference and interviews. At all levels, TOY contests are designed to focus public attention on teaching excellence, and to honor educators who have demonstrated exemplary dedication, compelling classroom practices, positive accomplishments and professional commitment.

The 2007-08 Los Angeles County Teachers of the Year (alphabetically by district):

AZUSA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT -- Adrian Acosta, Murray Elementary School Grade/Subject: 4th-Grade; Years of Teaching: 9; City of Residence: La Verne BURBANK UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT -- Christine DeMore, Jordan Middle School Grade/Subject: Vocal Music; Years of Teaching: 17; City of Residence: North Hollywood DOWNEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT -- Christopher Bowen, Lewis Elementary School Grade/Subject: Reading/Math; Years of Teaching: 11; City of Residence: Downey DUARTE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT -- Michelle Randall, Northview Inter. School Grade/Subject: English/AVID/Yearbook; Years of Teaching: 6; City of Residence: Whittier GLENDALE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT -- Mark Ouweleen, Columbus Elem. School Grade/Subject: 6th-Grade; Years of Teaching: 13; City of Residence: Sunland GLENDORA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT -- Lenora Mar, Cullen Elementary School Grade/Subject: Special Day Class; Years of Teaching: 29; City of Residence: Glendora LAS VIRGENES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT -- Jean Sbardellati, Bay Laurel Elementary Grade/Subject: 1st-Grade; Years of Teaching: 33; City of Residence: Oak Park LITTLE LAKE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT -- Robin Perencevic, Lakeview Elem. School Grade/Subject: SDC Autism; Years of Teaching: 31; City of Residence: Long Beach LONG BEACH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT -- Laura Hand, T.S. King Elementary School Grade/Subject: Kindergarten; Years of Teaching: 7; City of Residence: Long Beach LOS ANGELES COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION -- Karen Fuqua, Pomona Cal-SAFE Grade/Subject: High School; Years of Teaching: 27; City of Residence: Ontario LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT (Local #1) -- Lewis Chappelear, Monroe HS Grade/Subject: Engineering Design; Year of Teaching: 7; City of Residence: Sherman Oaks LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT (Local #2) -- Meggan Ballman, Kester Elem. Grade/Subject: Kindergarten; Years of Teaching: 10; City of Residence: Sherman Oaks LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT (Local #5) -- Lorena Beas, Harmony Elem. Grade/Subject: 2nd-Grade; Years of Teaching: 10; City of Residence: West Covina LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT (Local #7) -- Mark Taylor, John Muir MS Grade/Subject: Engl/Soc. St/Creative Writing; Years of Teaching: 6; City of Residence: L.A. SOUTH WHITTIER SCHOOL DISTRICT -- Michael Allen Long, Carmela Elem. School Grade/Subject: 4th/5th-Grade; Years of Teaching: 9; City of Residence: Whittier WILLIAM S. HART UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT -- Sean O'Brien, West Ranch HS Grade/Subject: English; Years of Teaching: 15; City of Residence: Saugus

CONTACT: Rick de la Torre, +1-562-922-6360, Cell: +1-562-900-3972, or
Vicky Limon, +1-562-401-5577 both of Los Angeles County Office of Education

Web site: http://www.lacoe.edu/