Mayor Tuija Catalano at the Making a Difference awards, with Cristina Ballard, Renee Culp, Shay Kornfeld and his son, Kathy and Ted McDavitt Sr. (for Teddy McDavitt), Aaron Mikuni, Laurie Parker, Gregory Rosewell, Samantha Yturralde (for Assemblyman Tim Grayson) and Councilman CW Wolfe.
Clayton honors eight for boosting local education
On June 4, the Clayton City Council handed out the inaugural recognitions under the Making A Difference program for outstanding teachers, mentors and coaches.
The city modeled Making A Difference after the city’s Do the Right Thing program, which two-time Mayor Hank Stratford created to recognize students for six different character traits: responsibility, respect, kindness, self-discipline, integrity and courage.
This year, Councilmen CW Wolfe and I proposed expanding Do the Right Thing to recognize outstanding and exemplary adults who inspire the rest of us to do better.
We based all of the inaugural recognitions on nominations from residents. Although the council was not able to award all nominees, together with Assemblyman Tim Grayson, the city recognized eight individuals:
Cristina Ballard, a Spanish teacher, soccer coach and mentor to many Clayton kids. She takes teaching to a high level that you have to see to believe.
Renee Culp, former Mount Diablo Elementary School (MDES) Parent Faculty Club president, sub teacher and mentor. Culp has been instrumental in keeping the Odyssey of the Mind program running, spending hours putting together spontaneous practices and instilling a high level of confidence in the kids.
Shay Kornfeld, an 8th-grade science teacher at Diablo View Middle School (DVMS). Kornfeld is recognized as a creative, passionate and inspiring teacher who was one of two Teachers of the Year for the entire Mt. Diablo Unified School District.
Teddy McDavitt, a former coach at Clayton Valley Charter High School (CVCHS), Concord High, Ygnacio Valley High and College Park High. McDavitt touched the lives of all he encountered. With tremendous passion, he inspired people to achieve more than they thought they could. The council honored him posthumously.
Aaron Mikuni, a respectful and respected head coach at Dana Hills Swim Team and PE teacher at DVMS. Mikuni has an infectious positive attitude on the pool deck and on campus. He leads by example, showing kindness and inspiring kids to do their best and never give up.
Laurie Parker, a long-time DVMS and a prior MDES teacher. She goes above and beyond for each of her students, bringing out the best in them and helping each feel worthwhile and special. Parker is one of the kindest teachers in Clayton, a true one in a million.
Alexandra Pike, a passionate teacher at MDES. Pike teaches in a unique and engaging way, including forward-thinking uses of technology to further educate her students. We accompanied Pike’s recognition with a special mention of her husband, Clayton’s Officer Allan Pike, who has also been involved with her classroom.
Gregory Rosewell, an amazing leadership teacher at CVCHS. People describe Rosewell as kind, caring and someone who loves his job, loves the kids and, most importantly, is highly valued by his students.
The council also highlighted a community business and an organization, and each recipient received a one-year membership to the Clayton Community Library Foundation and a gift certificate to Ed’s Mudville Grill.
The Library Foundation is turning 25 years next spring, and Ed’s recently celebrated its 25th anniversary – making these two community partners excellent matches for the inaugural Making A Difference recognitions.
The next Making A Difference theme is for an exemplary community contributor, giver and/or benefactor. Submit nominations via email to claytonmakingadifference@
gmail.com.