Administration honors Bartlett as Teacher of the Year

By Brian Kaiserman

Staff Writer

Mira Costa chemistry and astrophysics teacher Dan Bartlett received the Mira Costa Teacher of the Year Award on April 4.

The Teacher of the Year award is presented to one Costa teacher each year, in order to recognize their achievements in educating students. The award has been given out since 1990 and showcases teachers that connect with their students and present the curriculum in an exciting and innovative way according to Costa Principal Dr. Ben Dale.

“I was really shocked and honored to win this award because there are so many other teachers who deserve it,” Bartlett said.

Candidates for the award are nominated by Costa staff and nominated teachers may come from any department. Bartlett has taught Honors Chemistry for fourteen years, but this year is his first year teaching Astrophysics, which is a new class offered at Costa.

“Mr. Bartlett does a lot of great things, but the work he’s done this year in Astrophysics has been outstanding,” Costa Principal Dr. Ben Dale said.

The selection committee for the award consists of Costa administrators and department heads. After reviewing the list of nominated teachers, the committee then selects the Teacher of the Year for Costa.

“I believe Mr. Bartlett deserves the award because he is a great teacher who is able to make his class fun and interesting,” chemistry student and sophomore Nick Carpino said.

Bartlett will be honored with the other district Teachers of the Year at an upcoming board meeting. A district Teacher of the year will then be selected for Los Angeles county, and eventually one will be selected for state and national Teacher of the Year.

“Mr. Bartlett has been very innovative this year and his passion for the material has translated to his students,” Dale said.

Bartlett’s astrophysics class has been on the forefront of new ideas, with night classes and a flexible schedule, Dale said. According to Bartlett, he enjoys teaching because he loves the material, as well as his students and the energy they bring each day.

“I love working with my students because they are honest and full of life,” Bartlett said. “What always draws me back is being able to share and experience the curriculum with all of my students whom I consider as friends.”