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Published on 11/09/1998 All articles from this issue

Teacher gets 'A' in commitment

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By Linda Taaffe

Town Crier Staff Writer

Teacher Profile

Name: Joanne Miyahara

School: An English teacher for grades 10 and 11 and coordinator of the Advancement Via Individual Determination program at Los Altos High School since 1991.

Teaching highlights:

Miyahara was among the 26 teachers to be named "Teacher of the Year" last September at the 29th annual Santa Clara County Teacher Recognition Day for demonstrating outstanding commitment to her students.

She initiated the Individual Determination program, which helps promising but disadvantaged students to prepare for college, at Los Altos High in 1991.

She also helped to secure a grant from the Packard Foundation to extend the program to junior high students in feeder districts.

She said since initiating the program, there has been more ethnic representation in leadership roles on campus.

Background: The daughter of two teachers, Miyahara said she used to play "school" as a child but didn't realize she wanted a career in teaching until she was in college.

"I had a desire to be a doctor at first, but I realized I wanted to help people and not just see them when they were sick," she said."I love the day-to-day contact and helping (students) find their potential. I can't imagine doing anything else."

Miyahara earned her bachelor's degree from Pomona College and her master's degree and teaching credential from Stanford University.

She began her teaching career in 1991 at the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District, where she has since remained.

Philosophy: Miyahara said she encourages all students to reach their potential.

"Every student can succeed, you just need to find ways that challenge and support them," she said.

Miyahara said she likes "open-ended assignments that students can take as far as they can," such as service-learning projects, which enable students to not only discuss issues in the classroom, but to go out in the community and make a difference.

"These assignments are relevant to (students') lives and go beyond just the classroom," she said.

Hobbies: On her days off, Miyahara said she sings and plays guitar at her church. She also enjoys hiking, reading and writing.

Today: Miyahara said she is working with a team of teachers to provide support for the 20 new teachers at Los Altos High this academic year.

As a recent technology grant recipient, Miyahara is working on integrating computer programs into her classroom curriculum.