By Joylnn Lee
Executive Arts Editor
Teresa Nielsen, Honors and AP Chemistry teacher, was named one of Los Angeles County’s Teachers of the Year on Sept. 26.
Nielsen was one of the multiple teachers nominated by a colleague at Costa. She was then selected through the Ed Council as Costa’s Teacher of the Year. After receiving this recognition for Costa, she further went on to receive the MBUSD Teacher of the Year award. Nielsen then received the honor of being one of the 16 teachers to be named as L.A. County Teacher of the Year.
“I couldn’t believe I earned the [award],” Nielsen said. “The ones who win Teacher of the Year are always educators that I’ve respected, so to be considered on the same echelon was just incredibly touching and surreal.”
The application process of being considered for the L.A. County award is rigorous and is a well-known, prestigious program requiring essays, numerous pages of qualifications, and an interview.
“There are a lot of people who just stop at [district Teacher of the Year] because it is a lot of work [to apply further], but Dr. Gerger asked me to commit to the process,” Nielsen said. “I had to write a series of essays, a resumé, letter of intent and biography, while restricting myself to a specific word count for each essay. It ended up being a 22-page typed application.”
Nielsen also emphasized the program’s high standards throughout the process. She stated how she believed that progressing through the multiple Teacher of the Year awards was a reminiscence of the time when she completed multiple college applications. The entire L.A. County application was due by early June this year. Nielsen exhibited her teaching through a three-minute video to the panel of the judges to portray her qualities as a teacher while setting herself apart from other applicants.
“This was the best professional development I’ve ever done,” Nielsen said. “It really has made me reflect on my practices and why I choose to do them.”
Nielsen expressed her gratitude to the Costa community for its constant support in helping her strive to educate her students. According to Nielsen, she is appreciative that her students have access to top technology and lab materials.
“Teaching was not a profession that I originally aspired to do,” Nielsen said. “I really feel like it found me rather than the other way around.”
According to Nielsen, she is very grateful for Costa’s labs and equipment as many high schools don’t provide as many in-depth and immersive laboratory experiences for students. She expresses the positive sides of demonstrations and visual labs, since she sees the importance of “light-bulbs” appearing in her students’ heads when they finally understand a complicated concept. According to Nielsen, these moments are vital for students to have a comprehensive learning experience.
“I honestly feel like I have a science teacher’s dream job,” Nielsen said. “I have the best technology at my fingertips, and, if I don’t, I have someone that can fund and support me to give students their very best educational experience that they can get.”
Nielsen is committed to helping students excel in their academic performance.
“[Teachers] get rewarded seeing light bulbs go off on top of students’ heads every day,” Nielsen said. “We are rewarded when we get to see our students understanding and succeeding.”
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