News Release
May 3, 2007
Pedersen named County Teacher of Year
“…It has always been one of my goals to convince my students that a successful education is the product of a partnership between the teacher and the student. I can develop and present the most creative and pertinent lessons imaginable, but they are of no consequence if the student does not take ownership of the process. Similar to a football quarterback, a teacher can never really be any better than his receivers.” —Ole Pedersen
Ole Pedersen, a teacher of eighth grade U.S. History for 38 years at Orcutt Junior High School in the Orcutt Union School District, was named 2007-08 Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year. The announcement was made by County Superintendent of Schools Bill Cirone at a press conference convened at the regular monthly meeting of the County Board of Education May 3. He will become the county’s official representative on July 1.
Pedersen, one of a number of outstanding countywide nominees for the honor, was selected by a committee including representatives of teachers, administrators, PTAs, and school boards. Distinguished Educators were also named and will be announced at the June board meeting.
Pedersen has taught physical education, science, shop, language arts, speech, health, and history. The latter is his passion and area of expertise.
Superintendent Cirone expressed congratulations for Pedersen’s professionalism, enthusiasm, creativity, and remarkable successes in the classroom and in the community.
Pedersen received his bachelor’s degree in history, with a minor in economics, from the University of California at Santa Barbara. He earned his teaching credential from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, as well as a master’s degree with an emphasis on administration.
He also helped develop teachers as part of both Cal Poly’s and Chapman’s education programs. He has served as an on-site mentor for new teachers, served on his district’s Curriculum Council, worked on new textbook selections, and has served as department chair. He also helped develop a curriculum outline for eighth grade history that integrates the standards into the school’s programs.
He has coached baseball, basketball, and girl’s softball. As an Elks member for 20 years he has helped organize Thanksgiving baskets, volunteered for family-oriented events, and worked on the Elks Club Rodeo and Parade, an annual event that raises monies to help fund recreation activities throughout the Santa Maria Valley. He currently serves as Activities Director and athletic Director as well.
Pedersen stated, “…my greatest challenge has always been how to reach all the students with their many different learning styles and skill levels…At the end of a school year, my goal is that the students haven’t just learned some history, but that they have gained an appreciation and maybe even a love for the subject.”
He added, “I quickly discovered [my] joy was contagious among the students and had a direct impact on their attitude towards the subject and the class. With this in mind I have developed various lessons over the years that appeal to their curiosity, pique their interest, and put them in the middle of historical events rather than on the outside—in time and place—looking in. A lifetime of learning begins with a feeling of ownership in your own education,” he said, “and is reinforced by experiences that you can relate to or that have special meaning to you.”
Wrote Orcutt Superintendent Sharon McHolland: “In my 30 years of experience as an educator I have yet to observe a more stellar teacher than Mr. Pedersen. His ability to inspire his students to understand the joy of learning is remarkable…He is also an outstanding coach and athletic director…a respected and admired colleague.”
Wrote colleague Anna Zucker: “Ole Pedersen…is a teacher who teaches from his heart and soul every day. He is a master craftsman of storytelling and goes to great lengths to try to find a way to capture the learner’s mind. There is never a day that passes that he does not try to find yet another way to stimulate the learning process in his room…His enthusiasm for history and learning spills over into every nook and cranny of his classroom and life…Ole is a true team player. He is always willing to step up to the plate and help make our school a better place for children…He has spent the past several decades turning hundreds of young people into lovers of history. Students who are fortunate to have him as a teacher leave his classroom with learning that will last them a lifetime.”
Wrote Orcutt Junior High School Principal Alan Majewski: “I will forever use Mr. Pedersen as the measuring stick for what good teaching looks like, how a professional teacher conducts himself, and what high quality instruction looks like in the classroom. His extremely unique ability to reach students, to earn the respect of his peers, and to make an entire school so much better is legend in our school district. Mr. Petersen has a serious work ethic, a quick sense of humor, an abiding love of his profession, and an absolute glow when his students are engaged in the lesson with him…He is simply everything that is great about the teaching profession.”
Pedersen’s nomination will next be reviewed for consideration as California Teacher of the Year in the fall. The California winner will then proceed into consideration for 2008 National Teacher of the Year.
As Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year, Pedersen will be available to speak countywide, and can be reached at Orcutt Junior High School at 938-8700, or at the County Education Office, by calling Louise Fisher at 964-4711, ext. 5281.