69.8 F
Citrus Heights
Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Related stories

Jr. Mavericks football, cheer program make comeback for 2023-24 season

By Sara Beth Williams-- After a six-year hiatus, the Mesa Verde Jr. Mavericks youth football and cheer program is returning for the 2023-24 season...

Application period opens for Citrus Heights Education Committee

Sentinel staff report-- Applications are now being accepted for residents interested in serving on a new committee tasked with evaluating the potential establishment of a local school district...

Are Citrus Heights schools safe?

Sentinel staff investigation-- Amid national reports of school shootings, school safety has been a heightened topic of concern at multiple meetings over the past year in Citrus Heights...

Two MVHS seniors awarded college sports scholarships

By Sara Beth Williams-- Mesa Verde High School on Friday celebrated two senior athletes as they signed letters of intent and accepted college level athletic positions in football and softball...

Retiring theatre teacher reflects on 30 years at Mesa Verde High School

By Sara Beth Williams-- After three decades of teaching at Mesa Verde High School, Theatre Director Deni Scofield will be retiring at the end of the 2022-23 school year, leaving behind a legacy of impact...

Citrus Heights teacher named among top 5 ‘all-star’ finalists; could win $30k

Date:

Shana Pitts teaches at Mesa Verde High School in Citrus Heights.

By Sara Beth Williams–
Citrus Heights high school teacher Shana Pitts has been named by NBC Sports Bay Area as one of five finalists for the 2023 All-Star Teacher Award, which could result in her winning a $30,000 prize.

According to an online bio on NBC Sports Bay Area’s finalists page, Pitts was born in Sacramento and attended several schools in the San Juan Unified School District before becoming a special education instructional aide, and then a credentialed special education teacher.

Pitts began teaching in special education at Mesa Verde High School in 2019 and has taught health, psychology, career exploration, and co-teaches math classes. Pitts is also the Department Chairperson for Special Education at Mesa Verde.

In a video interview posted on the finalists’ page, Pitts mentions that her son’s diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder at 22 months motivated her to pursue a career change into special education. Pitts worked as a special education instructional assistant for nine years before becoming a special education teacher at Mesa Verde.

“I am just so excited,” Pitts said in an interview with the Sentinel, adding that she couldn’t believe it when she discovered one of her students’ parents nominated her.

According to NBC Sports Bay Area, the All-Star Teacher Award has recognized middle and high school teachers in northern and central California for the past 15 years, honoring their “extraordinary dedication to their students in school and in the community.”

Votes for a favorite finalist can be cast online at NBCSportsBayArea.com/AST through June 5, 2023. The winner out of five finalists will be announced live during NBC Sports Bay Area’s telecast of Giants Pregame Live and during an on-field ceremony prior to a San Francisco Giants game in June. The grand prize-winning teacher’s school will receive $30,000.

Like local news? Sign up for The Sentinel’s free Weekend Edition to get one email each Sunday with all local news and no spam, ever. (Click here)