DOWNEY - Allison Israwi, an English Language Development resource teacher at Spencer Williams Elementary, is among 60 nominees for state Teacher of the Year.Israwi, who is also an assistant coach with the Warren High School girls' varsity basketball team, was named an L.A. County Teacher of the Year last month. She was honored at an awards luncheon Sept. 20 at the Hilton hotel in Universal City. Last May, DUSD superintendent Wendy Doty presented Israwi with the school district's Vision Award for Culture. At Spencer Williams, Israwi created and oversees the Center for Cultural Connection, a resource room that encourages open collaboration and communication among teachers, staff and parents. A former college student athlete, Israwi has taught in Downey for the past seven years.

********** Published: October 14, 2010 - Volume 9 - Issue 26