The Arroyo Grande Rotary Club is proud to announce it has chosen 8th grade English teacher Roxanne Kienly, as the 2008 “Teacher of the Year”. After reviewing several hundred applications for the honor, Rotarians Bret Colhouer and Joe Brittingham narrowed the search down to six finalists, one from each school in the City of Arroyo Grande. After interviewing the finalists, both agreed that Kienly was this year’s award winner.

Kienly, who teaches 8th grade English at Paulding Middle School, was awarded the “Teacher of the Year” honor because of her dedication to her students. She enjoys helping them to reach their fullest potential. She also works diligently to teach her students to believe in themselves as ‘able” learners.

Kienly has been working locally as a teacher for 18 years. She teaches English and poetry and enjoys the “aha” moments when a student “gets it”. She says she also believes in giving direction by “empowering children” to think for themselves. Kienly also says the greatest challenge as a teacher, is in keeping different personality types to stay motivated. Her way of accomplishing this is by keeping herself and her students excited about the material they are studying.

Kienly believes that parents can help in the development of their children’s success by understanding that sharing the value of education can be reinforced at home. She sees teaching as a challenge and a great responsibility. As a teacher, Kienly views her students as “children first, and students’ second.” Kienly received an award of $500 and a special plaque from the Arroyo Grande Rotary Club as her reward for winning “Teacher of the Year”.