Looking for community roots

By Julie Davis Berry

Executive Editor

Our continuing goal at the Almaden Times Weekly is to find the ‘community' in Almaden. Without a downtown area to congregate in how are people connecting? Schools, churches, athletics, neighborhood associations…we want to know. The people that make up this suburb are becoming more diverse and seemingly more affluent by the minute. But there are still problems in this happy little ‘burb. What makes people who live in Almaden angry? What are they concerned about? Then again, what makes them proud to live in this suburb? Is something on your mind? Give us a call and let us know, at (408) 494-7000 x216. Or email me at Julie@timesmediainc.com

We are introducing two new features this week. The first one is called ‘ On My Bookshelf' . It is an opportunity for you to see what your neighbors are reading and to point you in the direction of a great book or two.

Call for entries for ‘Teacher of the Month'

Last but not least is our new feature: Teacher of the Month . This is an opportunity to not only honor the many outstanding teachers who teach in our schools but also to honor the students who look up to them. We are asking for short essays from students describing their favorite teacher, past or present. What makes that teacher special? Did they find a unique way to teach you a difficult math problem? Did they bring science alive with a fun experiment? Or are they simply so excited about the subject they teach that they bring it alive with humor and enthusiasm? Or perhaps they have helped you through a rough spot emotionally. Whatever it is that makes that teacher special should be put down on paper.

The requirements for the Teacher of the Month is that the teacher must teach in a school within the 95120 or 95118 zip codes. They can be an elementary, middle school or high school teacher. Essays can run up to 200 words and can include drawings by the student.

Each month members of the editorial staff will gather to review the essays and will choose one teacher each month based on a student's essay. If your teacher is chosen as Teacher of the Month we will come out to the school and interview him or her, take a picture and give them gift certificates from Amato's Pizzeria, Pure Bliss Day Spa and Learning Express. The student's essay will appear in the paper and the student will receive a gift certificate from McDonald's.

Please fax your essays to the Almaden Times Weekly at (408) 494-7078 with the subject line: teacher essay, or mail them to Almaden Times Weekly, 1310 Tully Road, Ste. 107, San Jose, CA 95122. Entries will be accepted through Dec. 31, 2003.