Press Release

Metropolitan Education District 760 Hillsdale Ave San Jose, CA 95136 September 9, 2009

Contact: Michelle Alaimo Communication Specialist (408) 723-6464 malaimo@metroed.net

Sara Crowder Named MetroED Teacher of the Year

Central County Occupational Center (CCOC), Managerial Accounting Instructor, Sara Crowder, has been named the MetroED 2008-09 Teacher of the Year. Crowder will be honored at the Santa Clara County Office of Education’s 40th Annual Teacher Recognition Day on September 30, at the Heritage Theatre in Campbell.

Crowder began at CCOC 4 years ago as CCOC’s Small Business Instructor. For two years, she served as teacher-on-assignment and was given the daunting 18-month task of compiling CCOC’s Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) self study. CCOC received a six-year accreditation as a result of Crowder’s and co-chair, CCOC Executive Administrative Assistant, Pat Campbell’s, leadership and organization. Crowder’s peers chose her to be MetroED’s Teacher of the Year for her work in leading CCOC to a successful accreditation.

“It is a true pleasure to work with Mrs. Crowder and observe the level of commitment that she has towards our profession and the future of our students,” CCOC Director, John Fox, said.

Recently Crowder became CCOC’s Managerial Accounting instructor, replacing retiring instructor Kathie Melrose who had been with the district for more than 30 years.

After more than 21 years of teaching, Crowder said she still finds teaching to be a very rewarding profession. “It is so nice at the end of the year when a student looks back and sees all that they have accomplished and has a sense of where their future is headed,” Crowder said. “It is so amazing to see the growth of students over the school year.”

Crowder said that many of her former students from both CCOC and from Mission Valley ROP where she taught for 16 years, keep in touch with her via Facebook. Crowder said she is a firm believer in challenging students to work as hard as they can because then they realize they can do more than they ever thought.

Crowder has an AA in Fashion from Brooks College in Long Beach, CA. She has teaching credentials in retail Merchandising, Supervision/Coordination, Business & Finance, and Marketing & Sales. Crowder is also working on earning her Bachelors Degree.

When not teaching at CCOC, Crowder works with her husband George, at South Valley Jewelers in Morgan Hill. The duo bought the store seven years ago and their two children, Kyle, 18, and Alisha, 13, also help run the family business. Recently George surprised Crowder with a rare treat, a one week Caribbean cruise to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary.

For the past 15 years, Crowder has spent her Sundays doing what comes naturally….teaching Sunday school. Her family is very active in their church and in bible study groups.

Crowder looks forward to the challenge of teaching Managerial Accounting this year. She said she is excited to show her students all the opportunities that technology brings to accounting. Crowder plans to seek the support of local business partners for student training and industry feedback on skills needed by entry level accounting employees.

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MetroED is the largest career-oriented educational organization in Santa Clara County, comprised of high school and adult occupational, academic and community programs.

MetroED annually provides 30,000 diverse students with the skills to help them be productive, income-earning and tax-paying contributors to Silicon Valley.