Health teacher Mrs. Melanie Patterson was awarded Secondary Teacher of the Year by the Rocklin Unified School District on May 22. She found out at the award banquet, which took place at the Rocklin Events Center.

“It was a gift that was very special to me, given to me from my colleges and it was very unexpected. It was an honor,” Patterson said.

Secondary Teacher of the year is an award that is given by the Rocklin Teacher Professional Association (RTPA), in addition to other awards.

At the yearly awards banquet, people from all across the district are recognized. From retirees to people who have been in service for 10 years, and sometimes even 30 years, the award banquet is a time to award those people for their efforts.

“It’s a time to honor and recognize people. That’s what it’s about,” Patterson said.

At the ceremony, the news of the award came as a surprise. Patterson did not apply or have any involvement with being selected Secondary Teacher of the Year. She found out she won when it was announced in front of everyone attending the banquet.

“We have an opportunity to nominate, and we have to fill out forms to nominate different people for it, and then they go to the board of RTPA and the RTPA select the teachers of the year from that pool of nominations. They select one secondary and one elementary each year for the whole district,” Patterson said.

Patterson’s attitude towards learning is what makes her stand out among her peers. She genuinely enjoys helping students.

“I really enjoy watching students grow and learn. Not just about academics, but about life and life skills, and just so they can be more successful, happier and healthier in their life. I  enjoy organization and leadership, so I’m involved in a lot of different things. I really like it when people learn and enjoy it,” Patterson said. She is part of the original Whitney staff and serves as department chair; she previously taught at Rocklin as well.

When Patterson was announced as the Secondary Teacher of the Year, she received an award from the staff showing their appreciation.

“They gave me a very cool award; it’s a bell, and Mrs. Hawkins wrote an amazing speech about me that was read (at the banquet), and I got flowers. That’s about it, no trips to Hawaii or anything,” Patterson said.

Despite the lack of tropical vacations, Patterson said she is very grateful that she has been recognized with such a prestigious award.

“I’m very thankful to my colleagues and I love working at Whitney. Go cats!” Patterson said.

by HARMONY REILLY and ABI BROOKS