Maggie Mabery, a Manhattan Beach Middle School teacher widely lauded for a classroom style that engages her students in science, was honored Wednesday as California’s representative to the National Teacher of the Year competition.
Students, faculty and district officials celebrated the distinction with hugs and flowers for Mabery at a special assembly on campus. Named one of five California Teachers of the Year for 2015, Mabery was hand-picked by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson to compete in the national program.
“Of the nearly 300,000 public schoolteachers in California, Mrs. Mabery has been named the state’s No. 1 teacher,” Principal John Jackson announced at the morning assembly.
Mabery, who has earned several other accolades for her teaching, makes science and learning so fun that her students often don’t realize they are learning, Jackson said.
Seventh-grader Isabella Peterson credits Mabery with igniting her passion for science.
“At first I thought science was boring, but she changed my mind about it,” she said. “Now I love science. She is really amazing. She makes it fun to learn. She deserves being honored as California Teacher of the Year.”
Eighth-grader Ben Wilberding said Mabery is his favorite teacher.
“She has changed my life,” he said. “Before I was just a normal student, but now I push myself to learn more about science. … She makes science cool and makes us laugh.”
Jackson said Mabery is “a great teacher because she understands the kids and understands the subject matter. She doesn’t talk over their heads; nor does she talk under their heads. She is spot on.”
Mabery teaches the students the effect science has on their daily lives. One of their favorite things is lighting things on fire. And she works hard to kindle a spark in them.
“Middle school students are awesome,” she said. “At this age, they are wanting to find someone to look up to and they are looking for higher levels of learning. It’s just such a fun age to get into their brains and to inspire them to learn and to love science. Science is amazing because it changes our world.
“I love the kids,” she said. “That is why I am excited to come to work here every day.”
Mabery now moves on to the National Teacher of the Year competition, which involves a written biography, essays on a variety of topics and letters of recommendation. President Barack Obama will introduce the winner in April at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.
Another South Bay teacher, Lovelyn Marquez-Prueher, was selected as one of the five California Teachers of the Year. Marquez-Prueher teaches eighth-grade English at Dodson Middle School, a Los Angeles Unified School District campus in Rancho Palos Verdes.
Mabery and Marquez-Prueher will participate in public education forums and may conduct demonstration lessons and contribute to teacher recruitment efforts. On Dec. 8, they and the other three recipients will meet with Torlakson and participate in a full day of professional development in Sacramento. On Feb. 9, the teachers will be honored at a banquet in Sacramento.
Mabery, who joined the MBMS faculty in 2001 as a science teacher, previously has been named Manhattan Beach Unified School District Teacher of the Year and one of 16 Los Angeles County Teachers of the Year. She earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a minor in science from Iowa State University and her master’s degree in education administration from Cal State Dominguez Hills.
The district’s Board of Education will honor Mabery at its meeting at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 5.
