Comcast SportsNet announced Zachary Swan of Jefferson High School in Daly City, California as the winner of the 2010 All-Star Teacher Award and has had a $10,000 check presented in his honor to benefit his school.
Mr. Swan passed away last April after a courageous battle with neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer when he was just 28. His mother, Maribeth Dunn, was presented with the $10,000 check by Ted Griggs, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Comcast SportsNet Bay Area; Curt Heninger, Regional Senior Vice President, Comcast California; Jack O’Connell, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction; and San Francisco Giants Matt Cain during an on-field ceremony prior to this evening’s San Francisco Giants/Florida Marlins game at AT&T Park. Jefferson High School intends to use the award money to establish a scholarship in Zachary Swan’s name.
“Comcast Sports Net is pleased to honor Zachary Swan with the 2010 All-Star Teacher Award and present his family a check for $10,000 for Jefferson High School,” said Griggs. “We are grateful to have the opportunity to contribute to his legacy as a teacher and to help continue his commitment to education. During his life, Zachary had a tremendous effect on his students, colleagues and community through his profound dedication to teaching, his tireless energy, and his unwavering upbeat spirit. This was a special year for our All-Star Teacher Award, and I would also like to recognize the other finalists for their invaluable contributions to their students and communities.”
“We would like to congratulate Zach Swan for his well deserved achievement of winning the prestigious 2010 All-Star Teacher title,” said State Superintendent O’Connell. “Mr. Swan exemplifies the commitment, loyalty, and service of the thousands of dedicated and skilled teachers in California who make a difference in their schools and communities, and especially in the lives of their students. We would also like to celebrate the other finalists and all the award nominees and thank them for their tireless efforts to inspire their students every day.”
“Education is key to the future of our children, our communities and our workforce,” said Curt Henninger, Regional Senior Vice President, Comcast California. “At Comcast, we are committed to investing in our children through scholarships, educational tools, and by honoring those individuals, like Zach Swan and the other finalists, who make a difference to improve our educational systems and ensure that students have the foundation necessary to succeed in school and beyond.”
The All-Star Teacher Award was created to recognize middle and high school teachers in Northern California who go above and beyond to inspire their students and community. An esteemed panel of community leaders selected five finalists based on four categories: Overall Commitment, Excellence in Teaching, Rapport with Students, and Level of Distinction. The five finalists were Zachary Swan of Jefferson High School (Daly City, CA); Stefanie Erlwein of East Avenue Middle School (Livermore, CA); Aaron Machado of Brownell Middle School (Gilroy, CA); Salvatore Morabito of De Anza High School (Richmond, CA); and Olivia Rangel of Alvarado Middle School (Union City, CA). Each All-Star Teacher Award runner-up will receive $2,000 for his/her school.
The panel of community leaders that selected the finalists consisted of Doug Bartlett, Senior Marketing Director, BART; Lorena Hernandez, Director of Community & Media Partnerships, Comcast California; Detra Paige, Director of Community Relations, Oakland Athletics; and Sue Petersen, Executive Director of the Giants Community Fund, San Francisco Giants. Members of the public voted for the All-Star Teacher finalists from May 17 to July 9 by voting online at CSNBayArea.com.
In 2007, Michael Meneses of Presidio Middle School in San Francisco, CA was the inaugural All-Star Teacher Award recipient. In 2008, Allen Nakamura of Alameda High School in Alameda, CA was named the All-Star Teacher. Last year, Jessica Schelegle of Sacred Heart School in Saratoga, CA received the award.
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