Teachers Honored for Classroom Successes

A teacher from a continuation high school in Reseda was named the teacher of the year at a luncheon Wednesday recognizing the importance of education to the future.

Paulette Blumstein of Zane Grey High School was one of eight mid-Valley high school teachers honored for their classroom achievements by the Encino and Tarzana Chambers of Commerce and the Police Activity League Supporters.

Other honorees at the luncheon at Braemar Country Club were Sam Baltimore of Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies in Reseda; Beverly Chalk Fried of Nestle Avenue Elementary School in Tarzana; Bela Palagyi of Reseda High School; Marsha Rubenhold of Emelita Street Elementary School in Encino; Min Shimoyama of Portola Middle School in Tarzana; Julie Walden of Encino Elementary School, and Linda Zimmerman of Wilbur Avenue Elementary School in Tarzana.

Mayor Richard Riordan announced Blumstein as the winner.

Each honoree received a $425 check to be used in the classroom, as well as proclamations and plaques.

Blumstein received an additional $425, free cable service for her class from Time Warner Communications, as well as the proceeds from a raffle sale of two basketballs autographed by keynote speaker, former UCLA coach John Wooden.

In his address, Wooden, a longtime Encino resident, reminisced about his days as a high school English teacher and recited several poem verses that illuminated the importance of being a good role model for children.

Blumstein, a Northridge resident, said her most significant contribution to the school was the establishment of the yearbook as a record of student achievement and a way for students to “celebrate themselves and their high school experience.”

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HONOREES:

Paulette Blumstein of Zane Grey High School

Sam Baltimore of Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies

Beverly Chalk Fried of Nestle Avenue Elementary School

Bela Palagyi of Reseda High School

Marsha Rubenhold of Emelita Street Elementary School

Min Shimoyama of Portola Middle School

Julie Walden of Encino Elementary School

Linda Zimmerman of Wilbur Avenue Elementary School