Skip navigation
Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism University of Southern California
Top Stories

Burbank Teacher Named 2012 National Teacher of the Year

One local teacher receives teacher of the year award from President Obama.

President Barack Obama recognized Rebecca Mieliwocki of the Burbank Unified School District as 2012 National Teacher of the Year at the White House on Tuesday.

One local teacher receives teacher of the year award from President Obama (Photo courtsey of Teacher2Teacher)
One local teacher receives teacher of the year award from President Obama (Photo courtsey of Teacher2Teacher)

Mieliwocki, a seventh grade English teacher at Luther Burbank Middle School, was named Los Angeles County teacher of the year in October and was one of five California teachers of the year.

Mieliwocki was recognized for her creative teaching techniques, including sending weekly parent memos and maintaining a class Facebook page.

“Rebecca is the definition of above and beyond,” President Obama said. "She's got high expectations for her seventh graders, and for herself; but she also knows that school can be fun," he said.

Mieliwocki was accompanied to the White House by Burbank Unified Superintendent Stan Carrizosa. The Superintendent said she has demonstrated "a tireless work ethic and an obsession to improve kids' lives."

For Mieliwocki , teaching is in her DNA; both of her parents were public school educators. The winner told the times the award represents a milestone in her career.

“It's who I am. It's who I'm supposed to be," she said in a statement. "Teaching truly is a calling.”

RELATED:

Teacher Fired for Appearing in Porn Video

Teacher Removed from Elementary School in Willmington


COMMENTS
Leave a comment
Name:
E-mail:*
URL:
Comments:*

We've Moved!


By Sam Bergum
01/21/16 | 11:09 a.m. PST

Visit us at uscannenbergmedia.com!

USC Basketball Knocks Off Rival UCLA 89- 75


By Scott Cook
01/14/16 | 12:05 a.m. PST

USC defeats UCLA with stellar play from their Freshmen. 

Holiday Bowl - USC vs Wisconsin Post-Game Press Conference

Su'a Cravens: "It's the players that need to step up"

Darreus Rogers: "It comes down to the players"

Trojans Fall to Wisconsin in the Holiday Bowl 23-21

We detected that you might be on a mobile device such as an iPad or iPhone. Sorry, at this time the video box is only visible on desktop computers.