More Monterey teachers being honored

The Rotary Club of Monterey will present their 24th annual Outstanding Teacher Awards on Thursday May 10 at the Monterey Hyatt Regency.

The awards are given each year to outstanding Monterey school teachers who have shown exceptional teaching skills and involvement in student activities. The awards include a $1500 savings bond and a plaque.

 This year’s winners are Mary Cunningham-Welsh of The International School of Monterey, Jill Hudson of Trinity Christian High School, and Krista Clarke of Monterey Bay Charter School.

Mary Cunningham-Welsh has been teaching 4th grade at the International School for 4 years. Her background in outdoor education has allowed her to make a special impact on her students. She has a degree in Environmental Studies and a bi-lingual Certificate from UC Santa Cruz. She worked at Año Nuevo State Reserve and also at the Catalina Island Marine Institute. Mary has worked with RETINA (Robotic Exploration Technology) to bring ROV’s into the classroom and teach students how they are used in research. She also involves her students in the Beach Garden Project restoring the dunes at Monterey State Beach, the Save our Shores Beach Cleanup project every September, and the Hope Services/Salvation Army Christmas Gift Program. She is married and has 3 teenage children.

Jill Hudson graduated Summa Cum Laude in English and History from Sonoma State University. She has taught for 15 years in both public and private schools and has been at Trinity HS for 9 years. She teaches Honors English and also serves as Faculty Chair. Her love of literature, teaching, and children all come together in the classroom. As a teacher she is constantly finding new ways to challenge and inspire her students. Her graduates always remember her personality and laughter and the way she brought characters to life. They also tell her how well prepared for college they were because of her efforts. Jill is active with tennis, softball, running and a book club. She is a committed Christian who also loves to serve her church.

Krista Clarke, who graduated from Carmel High, has B.A. with high honors in English Literature and an M.Ed. from UC Santa Barbara. Prior to coming to Monterey Bay Charter School, she taught at San Roque High School, a progressive private school in Santa Barbara. She was able to quickly adapt to the Waldorf inspired teaching methods at MBCS. When hired , she took over a seventh grade class six weeks into the school year. She carried that class through the year and then through graduation the next year before recycling back down to take her next class through sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. In addition to teaching, she serves as a mentor teacher, and as a member of the Hiring Committee and the school’s board of directors. In addition, she helped the students launch the Student Council and serve as its faculty host. Also, Krista helps students in the Lyceum Model UN Program.

 In addition to the Outstanding Teacher Awards, the Rotary will also award scholarships and vocational awards to students at Monterey High and MPC.