Hard work pays off

Danette Goulet

COSTA MESA -- A band played, children danced and tears welled up in

Arlene Trask’s eyes Monday morning when she was awarded Newport-Mesa’s

elementary school Teacher of the Year.

“I am very much surprised, honored and grateful,” Trask said. “It’s

exciting; this is a big moment and a big responsibility. I represent all

the wonderful teachers.”

It was an emotional day for the College Park Elementary School

kindergarten teacher, as her family and the entire student body and

teachers gathered to honor her.

The whole campus shared in a celebration that included a special

impromptu performance by the Costa Mesa High School band’s brass horn

section. Some students even tried to share in the glory.

“I think it’s because they said we were good,” said Hayley Price, a

6-year-old in Trask’s class.

“It’s because she told them about us,” agreed 5-year-old Natalie Lemus.

It was a theory Trask endorsed, telling her students that she wouldn’t

have won without them.

Nominated for the award by several colleagues, Trask said she had been

hesitant to fill out the necessary applications.

“I know you have to talk about yourself and that’s just not something I’m

comfortable doing with anyone except the children,” she said. “But once I

started writing, the words just flowed because it came from the heart.”

Having taught at College Park for 12 years, Trask thought she owed it to

the school community.

“I decided to do it so that College Park would be represented,” she said.

“It’s my school. I love this school and this community.”

That love and dedication were witnessed by the panel of judges who

visited her classroom.

“I think one of the things that was so important about her classroom was

the total respect for diversity,” said Linda Mook, president of the

Teachers Federation. “It was just very dynamic.”

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REFER BOX

For more about the Teacher of the Year award and a list of all the

district’s winners, SEE PAGE XX

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