Teacher of the Year: Veteran science teacher LISA SNYDER

Patience can be defined as the capacity for calm, tolerant perseverance. Many within Manteca Unified School District believe Lisa Snyder, a veteran science teacher at Sierra High School, is the epitome of patience. Her talens and abilities are honored by being selected as San Joaquin County's 2007-08 Teacher of the Year.

"I try to instill a sense of calmness within my classroom," said Lisa. "I believe this helps make the kids feel welcome, safe, and open to learning."

Her creativity and ability to bring meaningfulness into lessons taught to her students do not go unnoticed. In fact, the Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment program utilizes her talens as a trainer to help first-year teachers. This method is one that the Manteca community and Bob Lee, Director of Secondary Education at MUSD, boast about. "Lisa's students learn in a very caring and nurturing environment, which allows students to have higher self esteem and confidence," said Bob. "By using relevant, rigorous, and connected lessons, her students are motivated and engaged."

Prior to receiving her position at MUSD, Lisa used her background in Wildlife and Conservation Management in the Peace Corps. However, it wasn't until she found herself teaching the basics of mathematics to inhabitants of the African Bush that she recognized her desire to each. Three years later, she found herself using this passion as a junior high physical and earth science teacher in her native State of Wyoming. While teaching, she served as the State Director of the Wyoming Science Olympiad Program and Curator for the Laramie County School District's Herpetarium.

Twenty-one years later, her students still share that her personality and resilience are what make her a great teacher. "She's funny and nice," said Zack Doty, junior at Sierra High School. "More importantly, if we don't understand something, she'll take the time to explain it to us."

Each year San Joaquin County selects one Teacher of the Year from applicants throughout the area's 14 school district.


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