Los Gatos-Saratoga High School District Announces 2013 Employees of the Year

A Los Gatos High School world languages teacher and a Saratoga High School information support tech staffer are the 2013 Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District employees of the year.

Ann Jordan, who also serves as department chairwoman at LGHS, has been named as the district’s Teacher of the Year.

She has served the district since 2001 and teaches Japanese. "Ann is a caring, charismatic, knowledgeable professional who inspires students, challenging them to give their best, empowering them to learn and grow as Japanese speakers and as human beings," the district said in a press release.

"Ann works collaboratively with the department and has planned many cultural events for her students and the school. She is annually hosting Japanese visitors, bringing in speakers,
taking students to Japan and, above all else, modeling a heart for diversity and the benefits of
the richness found in diverse cultures," the release stated.

Jordan was also praised for being "a model educator" who has inspired her fellow teachers to take risks in the classroom, work tirelessly for students, and give a range of educational experiences to deepen their learning and passion for other languages and learning in general.

"Her department respects her, her students adore her, and she is a model for all of
us," according to the release.

This year Jordan was also recognized for being the California Language Teachers’ Association
Teacher of the Year.

SHS registrar/student information support technician Jeanne Jamieson was also named as the district’s Classified Employee of the Year.

" 'I want to be Jeanne Jamieson when I grow up.' This is a sentiment shared by many people at
Saratoga High who view Jeanne not only as the consummate professional but also someone
with a rich appreciation for life outside of work," the district said in the release.

Jamieson is SHS registrar by title but also moonlights as the academic historian, data whiz and welcoming committee for new families.

Superintendent Bob Mistele said of the employees: “Jeanne and Ann exemplify what makes our staff and our schools great. They both set the gold standard and then exceed it each day. Jeanne is
dedicated, consistently up‐beat and the go‐to person for accurate, timely data collection and
reporting. Ann goes over and above for her students, putting them first each day. She is
innovative, passionate and an excellent school and department leader. Congratulations."