Irvine science teacher named California's best

November 6, 1:43 AMAnaheim Public Schools ExaminerAlexandria Coronado

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Irvine Unified School District's own Kathy Marvin, science teacher at Sierra Vista Middle School, was named as one of the state's best teachers from among hundreds of competitors. 

Marvin, who was also named a 2009 Irvine Unified School District Teacher of the Year, and a 2010 Orange County Teacher of the Year, was named by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell as one of five 2010 California Teachers of the Year. 

Marvin has been teaching for 29 years, and is known as the teacher who considers it a challenge to blow tiles out of the classroom ceiling during her science classes.  The students think it's great fun, but she's really teaching how surface area affects reaction rates.  It is a lesson her students do not forget. 

Marvin is the second Orange County teacher in two years to receive the state's top honor.  Last year, Alastair Inman, a science teacher at Lexington Junior High School in Cypress received the state's top honor.  Lexington Junior High School is in the Anaheim Union High School District. 

Three other Orange County finalists were sent to the state for consideration.  They were:  Laurie Cummings, from Las Flores Middle School in the Capistrano Unified School District; Lori Lambaren Hernandez, from Dr. Peter Marshall Elementary School in the Magnolia School District; and Candace Leuthold, from Early College High School in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District. 

Orange County also recognized Lawrence Perez, a math teacher from Saddleback College in the South Orange County Community College District, however, the state-wide competition does not recognize college and university teachers, and Perez was unable to advance to the state competition. 

On Thursday, State Superintendent Jack O'Connell said, "I am honored to congratulate each of them, and I hope that their successes will encourage other educators and aspiring teachers who are working hard each day to make a difference in students' lives."