From the heart
BMS teacher Lopez recognized as Tulare County Educator of the Year
A Burton Middle School teacher with ties to three local school districts has been honored as Tulare County Educator of the Year.
Omar Lopez, a math teacher at BMS, was recently recognized for his middle school-level work by county Education Department Superintendent Jim Vidak and the Central California Chinese Cultural Center. He was one of three educators so honored this year.
In his third year at BMS, Lopez has been an educator for 12 years. He has previously worked for Salinas Union High School District, Porterville Unified District, and Lindsay Unified District. While with PUSD, Lopez taught two years as a seventh and eighth grade math teacher and cross-country coach. At LUSD he taught at both Garvey Middle School and Lindsay High School.
Recognized by BMS principal Adriana Franco as a “compassionate and dedicated” teacher, Lopez gives credit to his teaching peers for helping to fashion him into the teacher he is.
“The leaders and colleagues I’ve had in the past have shown me how to care for students at a deeper level in learning in general and in math in particular.”
Ms. Franco says that Lopez has a particular gift in reaching out to students and helping them beyond curricular areas. “He is in touch with his students and what they need to be successful,” she says.
“I love kids from the heart.” Lopez reflects. The 40-year-old married math teacher and athletic director gives credit to his co-workers present and past for the award. “This award is for all
of you who have been part of my life at any given time,” said Lopez, adding that he will embrace it and use it to become better than the day before.
“It has been overwhelming in the most positive way,” he says. “It will be something I will use as motivation for the rest of my life.”
At the award introduction, Vidak said of Lopez, “His caring demeanor towards students has allowed him to develop meaningful relationships with students that have allowed them to increase their love for learning. Omar uses the students' strengths to help them grow in areas where they can be more successful.”
Lopez joins other Burton District-connected teachers who have been honored with the award in the past: Stacy Tiner, honored in 2011, who began her career at Burton Middle School but won the award as a teacher at Sundale Middle School; Jacqueline Pennell-meredith, 2010, while at Burton Middle School; Hoss Mcnutt, 2007, while at Burton Middle School; and Barbara Gaffrey, 2003, who won the award for her elementary grade level services with the Burton District.
Honored alongside Lopez were Paul Meadors of Traver Elementary School as Elementary Educator of the Year and Zilda Hilliard of Mission Oak High School as High School Educator of the Year.