By Khalida Sarwari
The Saratoga Union School District has announced its teacher honorees for the 2014 school year: Jason Robertson, a science and computer teacher at Redwood Middle School; Harry Dill, a technology resource teacher in the district; and Karen Smyrl, the special day class teacher at Foothill Elementary.
Every year the district honors outstanding teachers who work tirelessly to inspire students and create a supportive learning environment.
Robertson was named the district’s Teacher of the Year. Superintendent Lane Weiss called Robertson a “one-of-a-kind inspirational person, teacher, colleague, teammate, leader and friend.”
“He is a bundle of energy, enthusiasm, knowledge and creativity,” Weiss said. “Classrooms where Jason teaches are filled with excitement, curiosity, deep inquiry and [are] safe havens for sharing ideas, thought and learning.”
A 17-year veteran at Redwood, Robertson has spent his entire teaching career at the school. He currently teaches seventh-grade science and a computer elective course for seventh and eighth-graders.
His favorite thing about teaching is being able to incorporate technology in his curriculum and working with kids.
“I went into administration for five years at the school and I came back to teaching because I missed being with the kids and having the positive energy,” said Robertson. “It’s a big job but it’s a ton of fun and rewarding, too. I don’t see it as a burden, I see it as privilege.”
Being selected Teacher of the Year at both the school and district level is “a great honor,” Robertson said. “The fact that it’s my peers and colleagues that nominated and chose me feels good.
“It’s a great district; lots of creative and intelligent people. I’m just one of many but it feels nice to be recognized that way at least once in your career.”
Robertson resides in Santa Cruz.
Dill is the Texas Instruments Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Teaching Award Nominee. His background as an engineer and scientist at NASA Ames Research Center has contributed to the development of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) learning opportunities at SUSD, according to Weiss.
“I have been lucky to be able to blend two careers, mechanical engineering and teaching, so STEAM is an innate part of that,” Dill said. “I am very interested in the history of technology–not just computers–and the various connections that technology brings. The students, teachers and families make Saratoga a wonderful district to work in.”
Dill provides support and guidance to district office staff as well as more than 2,000 students at the four schools. Over the past year, he has assisted in the district’s Technology/Learning Plan development, helped the District Leadership Team work on the implementation of Common Core and professional development for all teachers, assisted in the launch of Smarter Balanced Assessment, and development of the Individualized Blended Learning Model Pilot Program. Dill also offers support to more than 130 teachers, Schoology implementation, report card development, mandated state reporting, district strategic plan, grant writing for STEAM initiatives, Redwood Media Arts and Computer Programming class support, and the summer iPad academy for teachers.
“Harry has become one of the key thought leaders in our efforts to support STEAM for each of our students,” said Weiss. “He is a loyal and dedicated educator who cares deeply for students, colleagues, and the entire learning community.”
Dill is a member of the district’s Technology Leadership Team and has served as a math and technology teacher at Redwood for the past 10 years, the last three supporting technology.
Aside from education, Dill has worked in a variety of fields, including machine design, cryogenics, radio astronomy, life sciences and thermal protection. He lives in Boulder Creek.
Smyrl, who teaches students in kindergarten through second grade at Foothill, was recognized by the Santa Clara County Special Education Local Plan Area III Community Advisory Committee for her contributions as a special education teacher.
“Karen is an exceptional teacher who supports her students across academic subjects as well as building communication, social and behavioral skills,” Weiss said. “Karen’s dedication to her students, families and colleagues is demonstrated by the energy she brings to everything that she does.”
Smyrl works closely with the general education teachers and established the Playground House Bus Stop Program in which fourth- and fifth-grade students and parents volunteer to take a leadership role in organizing activities during recess.
Smyrl introduced the Bus Stop program at Foothill two years ago to give students options for activities during recess. Kids in first through fifth grades can partake in activities involving bubbles, jump ropes, group games, LEGOs, board games and bean bags.
“Being on the playground at recess sometimes is hard for our students,” Smyrl said, adding that it was important for her to find ways to help build students’ social emotional development even outside of the classroom “for them to feel valued and respected and not alone. No one should feel alone.”
Prior to coming to Foothill in 2002, Smyrl worked as a resource teacher at Saratoga Elementary School and at Achieve Kids, a private school in San Jose. Teaching at Foothill was a “new, very big change,” she said.
“I have a class of eight to 10 students and I have a wealth of resources, a lot of instructional aides,” she said. “There’s a lot of inclusion that we do here which I absolutely love.”
The San Jose resident said she felt honored to be recognized by her peers for doing something that she loves.
Local educators and community leaders will honor Dill and Robertson, along with other Santa Clara County “Teachers of the Year,” at the 45th annual Teacher Recognition Celebration in September. Smyrl will be recognized at an upcoming SELPA III CAC event.
