Ken Lorge Wins Acalanes Educator of the Year
By Reid Aldrich, Online Managing Editor
// Ken Lorge, an algebra and calculus teacher and teachers’ union Vice President, serves as a mentor for many students and staff on campus.
To honor his dedication and hard work for the Acalanes High School community, Acalanes Union High School District (AUHSD) Superintendent Dr. John Nickerson announced Lorge as the winner of the Acalanes Educator of the Year Award on Feb. 15.
Acalanes staff members nominate teachers for the award, sending in their nominations to be reviewed by a committee to select the recipient for Acalanes. Committee members include Principal Eric Shawn, alongside the previous recipients of the Acalanes Educator of the Year and Classified Employee of the Year Awards from the last seven years, who vote for the winner.
“The criteria for the Educator of the Year award are having a depth of content knowledge, they differ their instruction to reach all students, they use innovative instruction to motivate and encourage student learning, they are committed to their fellow educators as evidenced by the instructional leadership and willingness to serve as formal or informal mentors, they maintain an interest in continuous improvement and professional development, they demonstrate influence beyond the classroom, and they demonstrate effective communication,” Shawn said.
Members of the committee, such as last year’s winners, Special Education Department Chair Amy Bellomo, and Human Social Development, Ethnic Studies, and leadership teacher Katherine Walton, recognized the criteria for nominations and decided upon Lorge as their nominee.
“Mrs. Bellomo and I co-nominated Mr. Lorge. He is so skilled in teaching our entry course into Algebra (Algebra A/B) and then also our highest level course in Calculus. That takes skill, care, and support,” Walton said.
After being announced as the award winner, Lorge appreciated his nomination and reception of the award.
“It is something that comes out every year that is notable, so [I] pay attention to who got it, [but] I was a little bit surprised that I won,” Lorge said.
From the beginning of her career at Acalanes, Walton noticed Lorge’s teaching style’s effect on the students, often noticing his efforts to prepare every student properly.
“When I started at Acalanes as a special education teacher, I always had students in Mr. Lorge’s classes, and he was and is supportive of every single student, wanting them to be as successful as possible. Now, within leadership, I am constantly hearing students talk about Mr. Lorge and holding him in the highest regard,” Walton said.
After receiving recognition from colleagues, Lorge strives to continue his work ethic to maintain a high standard of education.
“It always feels good to have people acknowledge what you do, and every year, I evaluate what I am doing not because of some award but because I want to do the best that I can,” Lorge said.
