Classroom of the Future Foundation, sponsored by SDG&E, honored Jamul resident Dr. Paula Cordeiro and Cajon Valley Middle School at the 11th Annual Innovation in Education Awards on May 2, held at the University of San Diego. Cordeiro, dean at the School of Leadership and Education Sciences, received the Visionary and Outstanding Leadership Award for her career-long contributions to education. Her textbook, “Educational Leadership: A Bridge to Improved Practice,” is now in its fifth edition. Cajon Valley Middle School received the Inspire Award for its Learning Through Production, Not Consumption program.
“Each year the Classroom of the Future Foundation recognizes classroom leaders and programs that inspire students to achieve through the development of innovative learning programs,” said Bruce Braciszewski, Ph.D., executive director of the Foundation. “This year’s honorees demonstrate a significant impact on learning in the region and are substantially improving student achievement.”
Cordeiro said she was “delighted” about the award. She served as a classroom teacher and principal, worked in Venezuela, Spain, and New England, before becoming dean in 1998. Her educational philosophy is that preparing teachers “has to be relevant to teachers and districts locally.” She encourages involvement with local nonprofit and government agencies in that training of educators has to be an integral part of the “practice” of leadership in schools.
Her mission is to engage with all 42 school districts in San Diego County to promote innovative technology programs, deploying mobile device usage and virtual technologies for fun.
“This is part of our vision” for training and experimentation. And basic research gauges the success of each program implemented, she said.
Cajon Valley Middle School program is transforming student learning from paper-based exercises to the implementation of creative multi-media projects such as blogs, photos and websites through the iPod learning initiative for students. Since this initiative launched in 2011, student achievement notably improved, with the number of A grades received by students increased by 31 percent, while failing grades decreased 47 percent. The school received a $5,000 cash award from Qualcomm for the program.
Cordeiro said her motivation in teaching educators and students came from her high school English teacher, Mabel Knight, who for two years inspired her student Paula with her “passionate” belief in teaching students about the music of literature. From teacher to teacher to teacher, the mission of excellence and innovation in education carries on in East County schools.
