James Logan Instructor is Alameda County Teacher of the Year Nominee

James Logan High School’s Julie Panebianco is a teacher of the year nominee because her students said so.

Panebianco — an eight-year veteran English and Puente Project teacher at the largest high school in Northern California — was nominated for Alameda County teacher of the year by her principal and her co-workers.

But the biggest push to nominate Panebianco came from her students.

“Julie’s student reviews were so glowing we had no choice but to put her up for teacher of the year,” said James Logan High School Principal Amy McNamara. “Her students said she changed their lives and she’s always fresh and happy and ready to teach.”

Every year the Alameda County Office of Education nominates an outstanding teacher from each of its 18 districts and regional occupational programs to compete for county teacher of the year.

Nominees are selected by their colleagues and district leaders. Panebianco was chosen to represent the New Haven Unified School District.

"I'm very honored," said Panebianco, "I enjoy my students so much, so to hear that they nominated me and that I'm appreciated by my colleagues and the district — it's kind of beautiful."

During the nomination phase, students are polled to find out how a teacher impacts them, and Panebianco in particular had many student supporters.

“She really helps prepare you for college and other classes,” said senior Luis Perez. “Her personality is great and you can tell she loves to teach.”

Panebianco teaches English at James Logan, but where she’s really made her mark is in the Puente program, a class for disadvantaged students who want to make it to college.

“Ninety-five percent of the Puente students are first-generation college students and many are low-income,” said McNamara.

Panebianco prepares these students for college by helping them take the correct high school courses, study for entrance exams and walking them through application processes.

But that isn’t all she does, said McNamara.

“Julie does all of that and much, much more,” she said. “She takes them on field trips and organizes parent days — she does it all.”

Due to state budget cuts Puente is underfunded, but Panebianco took on a 7:15 a.m. "zero period" class and teaches it unpaid to help her Puente students.

As a direct result of Panebianco’s commitment to students, James Logan’s Puente program has one of the highest graduation rates and college acceptance rates in the country.

McNamara said the school was particularly proud when a Puente student graduated last year with a full-ride scholarship to the prestigious Massachusetts Intitute of Technology (MIT).

On top of everything she’s done for Puente, Panebianco still manages to take all the teacher training courses she can so she can become a better teacher, McNamara said.

Even freshman students who have only known her for a few weeks had nice things to say about Panebianco.

“She’s great,” said one new Puente student. “She makes what we’re doing really fun.”

Alameda County Superintendent Sheila Jordan came by on Tuesday to congratulate Panebianco on her nomination.

“Every year we hold a teacher of the year event and you need to be an outstanding teacher to be nominated,” said Jordan. “Julie Panebianco will do James Logan and New Haven District proud.”

The winner of county teacher of the year will be announced at a ceremony at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 6, at the San Leandro Performing Arts Center. This is the 22nd year of the countywide competition.

The winner that night will represent the county in the statewide California Teacher of the Year contest.

Panebianco’s colleagues and students at James Logan say they will be proud regardless if Panebianco wins because she has done so much for her school already.

“Julie represents what I love about teachers — she will not accept what limits are placed on her for what she can do for her students,” said McNamara. “She’s the kind of teacher who makes me feel like I have the best job in the world.”