UTLA Platinum Apple Awards Honor Education All-Stars

Mr. Emigdio Berumen has been at Second Street Elementary School for 40 years (36 of them as a credentialed teacher). Enter Mr. Berumen’s UTK classroom and one of the first things that an observant visitor will notice is that the student drives the learning. He has proven year after year that he is indeed that most remarkable teacher who balances the skill of implementing firmness when required, versus pulling back and letting compassion and leeway guide one’s response to a student struggling to adapt to school life. His calm, low-key, unruffled engagement with students promotes a classroom environment with the lowest of low affective filters.

Emigdio Berumen is truly a teacher who understands that life does not end at 2:40 pm. He has served on Second Street’s Local School Leadership Council, as well as multiple stints as the president of the School Site Council. He is always a participant in the various Cultural Committee events held at our school, helping to plan our Native American Pageant Day, as well as our International Cultural Celebration Day. Mr. Berumen provides the opportunity for our youngest learners to receive instruction from a kind, thoughtful, professional who always has his students’ best interest and individual needs in the forefront of his mind.

Veronica Bonilla has been an accomplished teacher for 25 years, serving the Los Angeles Unified School District with deep dedication to high rigorous standards and outstanding efficacy reflecting expertise in content and pedagogy. Her distinguished experience as an elementary teacher, intervention coordinator, Targeted Student Population Advisor, Instructional Technology Facilitator, and Primary Promise teacher has displayed and demonstrated her amazing leadership, coaching, and teaching skills that are exemplary and prized. These educational opportunities and endeavors have taught her the importance of advocating for students, analyzing data, and how collaboration, communication, and building relationships with all stakeholders can promote and support student achievement.

Ana Ramos is hard-working, conscientious, and goes above and beyond to meet the individual needs of students in her upper Special Day classroom. She is caring and nurturing, and makes sure students feel important as a valued member of the classroom community. She is very positive and motivates students to believe in themselves and that they can succeed by using positive and encouraging praises. Ms. Ramos creates a student-centered learning environment where students feel safe and welcome. She spends much of her personal time and her own resources to create engaging lessons and projects. This year, Ms. Ramos decided that Barton’s campus needed some beautification and developed a gardening project in which her students could participate. She developed, designed, and created a raised bed garden to teach her students how to grow vegetables. Although the project had a rough start, she did not give up. After several months, trial and error, and persistence, the raised garden began to flourish. Ms. Ramos sets an example for her students by showing them that when things do not work at first, do not give up, but try something different.

Mrs. Yvette Olivares Estrada is a transformative teacher. Her work as an educator comes from a place of love and care for her children, and her deep-rooted belief that they can succeed in life with the right guidance and support. Yvette Olivares Estrada has worked at Hollenbeck Middle School for over 30 years. She always carefully considers her students’ prior knowledge when planning her lessons. She integrates timely and compelling literature in her lessons. Students in her class learn about the Japanese internment camps during World War II by reading the novel Sylvia and Aki, researching the topic, and creating beautiful watercolor artwork.

Students also learn about the ongoing challenges faced by Black people historically and today by reading the novel Ghost Boys and researching topics such as the civil rights movement and police brutality. Mrs. Yvette Olivares Estrada also collaborates with LAUSD’s Linked Learning Program and engages her students in projects around environmental justice as they research and study the problems with the Exide plant that caused so much degradation in the Boyle Heights community. She cares about the whole child and teaches not only to their academics, but also to their social and emotional well-being.

Ms. Teresa Aki has 15 years of teaching under her belt, including experience teaching high school physics. She currently teaches science at Dodson Middle School and has proven that she has more than the required amount of experience and knowledge in her content area. Ms. Aki also teaches a robotics elective which included MESA (Math Engineering science Achievement) and has hosted many competitions at Dodson. She works with students after school and takes them to competitions on the weekends. Her students usually win top awards. She also runs the Dodson Science Club in which she coaches students for the LACOE Science and Engineering Fair. She has participated in many professional developments over the years such as NTSA (National Science Teachers Association) as a Fellow and CASE (California Science Educators), where she is planning her presentation for the next conference. Ms. Aki leads our department meetings with both rigor and levity. She shares knowledge and lessons with colleagues and deals with stressors with a sense of humor and optimism.

Ms. Lorena Dominguez is a champion for academic excellence, unionism, and a pillar to her school community. Ms. Dominguez has dedicated her entire 27 years of her teaching career to Los Angeles Unified School District with the past 18 years dedicated to Maywood STEM Elementary School. Ms. Dominguez has proudly served on the SSC as president, secretary, and member for 14 years. She is at the table with a strong teacher voice in order to ensure that the academic needs of students are reflected in the single school plan. She works alongside parents and has been very vocal as to the needs of the school community. Ms. Dominguez is a dedicated and enthusiastic educator who strives to create a learning environment where all students can learn by ensuring her students access and participate in meaningful and challenging learning opportunities. Ms. Dominguez ensures the students of Maywood Elementary are 21st-century students by attending professional development in the following: Mine Craft Education, Wonders Dash Robots, Scratch and Lego Spike Essentials, and Artificial Intelligence. She has also been a leader in our school when the situation entails implementing new technologies and strategies. Her enthusiasm and leadership have been motivating all the teachers in our school.

Ms. Ijere is so dedicated to 96th Street STEAM Academy in Watts she drives over 30 miles to and from to teach in the heart of the city. She is an advocate for students’ well-being and integrates several differentiated strategies such as kinesthetic breathing, stretches, art, theatre, and movement so students can understand new concepts in the classroom setting. Her philosophy is that all students can learn. And it shows in each grade level, from first through fourth grade, that she has taught in her 27 years of teaching. Ms. Ijere has led the way on best practices. After being a primary K-2 teacher for 22 years, she knows exactly how to close student gaps in literacy. She enthusiastically works with colleagues to improve professional practices. She is such a strong team player and assists in planning professional development for her grade level. A marvelous mentor teacher to new teachers on campus, she is always willing to assist and empower new teachers in sharing best practices and teaching curriculum standards.

Mrs. Karen T. Carter has been at Bushnell Way Elementary School for her entire educational career, which spans 37 years. She has focused her love and nurturing ways on the very youngest scholars at our school: SRLDP, second grade, TK/K, and presently UTK. Mrs. Carter not only captivates her students with developmentally appropriate, vigorous, and creative lessons, but she captures the attention and support of the parents. She makes herself fully available to her parents for counsel, advice, and “make and take” sessions to solidify the home/school connection in the most positive way possible.

Ofelia Monarrez is well known as a schoolwide collaborator and communicator. As a 27-year teacher in LAUSD and active UTLA member and PACE contributor, Ofelia Monarrez stands out as an exceptional educator, unionist, and leader. Ofelia stands out due to her fearless, outspoken expression of commonly felt schoolwide concerns in staff meetings and professional developments. Ms. Monarrez works above and beyond the call of duty with her families and the school community to improve students’ achievement. She facilitates unpaid after-school courses for parents and other guardians with their children to support the whole family and to help with their children’s academics. She is loved, respected, and admired by all stakeholders on the Quincy Jones Elementary Campus.

Mr. Aaron Bruhnke demonstrates a combination of knowledge, skills, and qualities that have contributed to a career of effective teaching and student learning. Mr. Bruhnke has a deep understanding of history, making him a subject matter expert for his department. He has been able to teach complex concepts in a clear and engaging way. Aaron Bruhnke has also maintained a passion for teaching. He has a genuine enthusiasm for teaching and a dedication to inspiring and motivating students to learn and grow. Mr. Bruhnke has spent his career dedicated to professional growth. He spent years on the School Site Professional Development Planning Committee helping coordinate and carry out meaningful professional development for his colleagues. Aaron Bruhnke’s career involvement with UTLA is impressive. He has continually advocated for teachers’ rights, improving education quality, and fostering a supportive community. The various positions he has held include Chapter Chair, Board of Directors for Harbor Area, and Harbor Area Chairperson.

Ms. Erika Sanchez has worked at Gil Garcetti Learning Academy for 26 years. She shines at our school as a UTLA member, nationally acclaimed teacher, an amazing colleague and friend, and a great support for parents. Ms. Erika Sanchez has a BCLAD and is the designated ELD teacher for 2nd grade addressing the needs of English language learners and often low-performing students. This year she achieved the prestigious recognition of being a National Board Certified Teacher. She has a positive rapport with students. Ms. Sanchez asserts, “My students are not afraid to make mistakes or take risks in learning.” She makes her learning fun as well as challenging and rigorous. Ms. Sanchez has led the school’s winter holiday program. She coordinates the various student performances, music and parent performances. She says, “When I was a student, what I loved about school was singing, dancing, and having my parents see me perform. I want to share that with my students.”