It's awards season, and the California Teachers Association are handing some out

The California Teachers Association and its Central Coast Counties Service Center Council handed out their We Honor Ours awards last Friday at a lovely dinner at the Best Western hotel in Monterey.

Besides honoring Leon and Sylvia Panetta (the dynamic duo seem to be everywhere after Secretary Panetta returned to the area) as "Friends of Education," CTA honored Blanca Gutierrez and Ray Muñoz of the Alisal Teachers Association, Velma Hawkins of the Aromas/San Juan Teachers Association, Terri Baker of the Live Oak Elementary Teachers Association, John Colombo and Virginia DeVaux of the Monterey Bay Teachers Association, Monica Agpaoa-Gonzales of the Monterey County Office of Education, and Michelle Ross and Carol Rodrigues of the Salinas Elementary Teachers Council.

The WHO awards are given to teachers who, in addition to their work in the classroom, take on leadership positions within the union. It's double duty, and a lot of hard work. It was very touching to hear the awardees being introduced by their colleagues, people who deeply know of their hard work and dedication.

A special award was given to Jill Lowe from the Monterey Bay Teachers Association, whose work doesn't stop at the local, but reaches into statewide spheres.

Incidentally, the gracious union folks also gave me a diploma for having won the John Swett award for my education reporting. Allyson Schweifler of the Monterey Bay Teachers Association gave a really nice speech about my work. It was touching, and humbling. Thanks from the bottom of my journalistically jaded heart ;-)