Ben Diaz Named 2012 SCOE Teacher of the Year
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When teacher Ben Diaz walked into his classroom yesterday, he was met by administrators and colleagues bearing balloons and smiles.
That’s when Diaz learned he’d been selected as the 2012 Sacramento County Office of Education “Teacher of the Year.”
Diaz teaches a 3rd through 5th grade combined, special day class for students with emotional disabilities at Bannon Creek Elementary School in the Natomas Unified School District.
“I did not know I wanted to be a teacher until six years ago,” he said. “I realized that I had a great desire to work with this population of students. My strength as a teacher is being able to connect with students and understand their disabilities.”
After years of working in the marketing and sales field, Diaz pursued a career in education. He started working for the county office of education as a substitute para-educator and substitute teacher.
Assistant Superintendent Robin Pierson, and Special Education Principal Lauren Roth joined Deputy Superintendent Sue Stickel announcing the award.
“Ben is an enthusiastic, hard working, and dedicated teacher who is continually improving the learning environment of his classroom to meet individual student needs,” Roth said. “He has set a high standard in his commitment to the teaching profession. He is a valuable asset to SCOE’s elementary ED program.”
Diaz uses a Positive Behavior Supports program which provides reinforcements to encourage academic growth, in addition to self-management practices which help students improve their own behavior. He has successfully implemented enrichment programs including cross-age tutoring, as well as The Polite Child, Social Smarts curriculum.
Diaz will be honored, along with teachers representing other Sacramento County school districts, at the annual Teachers of the Year awards dinner in August. He resides in West Sacramento.
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