Here is the article below: SIMI VALLEY, Calif. - Six people will be honored Jan. 23 with a Lew Roth Award for extraordinary service to the Simi Valley Unified School District. The Lew Roth Awards began 23 years ago in honor of Roth, a founding member of the Simi Valley Education Foundation. “Mr. Roth had a major impact not only on our foundation but on education in general as a former school board trustee,” said Kristin Tignac, the event chairwoman. With many nominations received in the six categories, the selection committee had its work cut out for them, Tignac said. “There were so many qualified nominees it was hard narrowing it down to one winner per category,” she said. Daniel Houghton, assistant superintendent of personnel services, will be recognized for his role in management. “I was speechless when they told me I was getting it,” said Houghton, who started working for the district in 2002 as assistant principal of Royal High School. He later became principal there. He was promoted to director of secondary education in 2010 and to his current position in 2013. “It’s very humbling to have the respect of my peers and the Simi Valley Education Foundation, which does tremendous work on behalf of the students and staff,” Houghton said. Annette Morgan, a PTA member and resource educator at Berylwood School, will receive recognition for more than two decades of volunteer work, which began at Santa Susana Elementary School. Morgan also received a Lew Roth Award in 2002. “I am so doubly honored,” she said. “It was a complete surprise. I think I’ll stay on the PTA until I retire.” Honoree Melissa Albertson has worked in the district for more than two decades as a teacher. She taught at Sycamore School and for the past 19 years has worked at Santa Susana High School in its theater program. “I am deeply honored to receive this prestigious award recognizing the work I do for my students in helping them achieve a successful education as well as building their successes,” Albertson said. Honoree Cathy Perry helps students with special needs who are mainstreamed into regular education classes at Royal High School. Her job at Royal began 17 years ago, when she worked in a program for children with Down syndrome. “These are kids who maybe got a slow start or need a little bit of extra help. They might have dyslexia or don’t process as quickly,” Perry said of her current job. “They’re mainstreamed into ... biology, government, economics, geometry. They get to come in for tutoring on whatever they want help.” Paul Schott, a district custodian for seven years, said he is honored to receive a Lew Roth Award. “I take the best of what I see being done, modify it as well as my own work, to perform at an optimal level,” said Schott. “This award is a reflection of those ... who have had a positive influence on me.” Kathryn Scroggin, a district employee for three decades, including 11 years as superintendent, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. “This is an honor of a lifetime,” said Scroggin, who retired in October. Her career began as a teacher at Sequoia Junior High School, where she later served as assistant principal. She was principal of Hillside Middle and Simi Valley High schools. “All the talented and dedicated people I’ve worked with ... I’ve been really fortunate to have these people as part of a team that helped our students achieve and succeed,” Scroggin said. The Lew Roth Awards dinner will be held at 6 p.m. Jan. 23 at the Grand Vista Hotel, 999 Enchanted Way in Simi Valley. Tickets are $55 and can be purchased at svef.org.
Posted on: Fri, 02 Jan 2015 17:47:21 +0000
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