San Jose, November 3, 2021: Moreland School District is proud to announce that Easterbrook Discovery School 6th grade teacher Joseph Sinn, Latimer Middle School counselor Yonit Parenti, and Moreland Middle School counselor Brad Edwards have been selected as three of the top eight finalists to receive a California League of Middle Schools (CLMS) Educator of the Year Award, representing Region 5 covering Monterey, San Benito, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz Counties.
Joseph Sinn epitomizes an educator who encourages, engages, and creates opportunity for his middle school students. With real-world application to state-standard math and science curriculum, Joseph provides opportunities for students to test their own understanding, opening up the possibility of peer instruction and concept mastery. Joseph is always focusing on local, as well as global issues, planning virtual field trips, and teaching students to make inter-subject connections that are not always obvious. Joseph’s honesty, ability to stay relevant, and innate love of encouraging and supporting students to be successful naturally allows him to create lessons with no boundaries.
Yonit Parenti is a force on the middle school campus supporting teachers, parents, and students. She works seamlessly in both general education and special education middle school therapeutic classes, creating and modeling group lessons, designing a routine of morning meetings, and supporting Latimer’s administrative team with preventative discipline practices that have become transformative in quickly changing and restoring student behavior and expectations.The biggest success and most profound impact Yonit shares is her innate ability to reach students, connect with them, and redirect their focus and attention toward self-care, kindness, and a path toward academic success.
An integral part of Moreland Middle School’s climate and campus culture, Brad Edwards has been the lifeline between students and school throughout online distance learning for the past 18 months, and now in-person, as students have built up a pandemic’s worth of mental health challenges. His unwavering belief in students is remarkable, and his unique ability to discover the true reason a student may be facing challenges is exceptional, creating a ripple of inspiration and transformation throughout this comprehensive middle school campus. Brad’s proactive approach engages students and includes leading through advocacy and collaboration with school staff, administration, and community/family members with 100% of the focus on helping students achieve success.
The California League of Middle Schools “Educator of the Year” honors middle school educators representing regions throughout California who exemplify educational excellence and have made a significant effort to implement elements of educational reform in middle schools.
One finalist will be chosen to represent Region 5 at the virtual CLMS Region 5 Award Ceremony on Thursday, November 10, 2021, and participate in the statewide recognition at the CLMS Annual Conference in March in Monterey, California.