Ventura, Oxnard, Camarillo, Ojai Valley
Thank you for taking the time to share about the people making a difference in your lives.
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I nominated my husband - my best friend - Antonio Guevara - Father of the year! He is so dedicated to his family. He sometimes works 7 days a week - long hours - and still manages to give his family of 6 - love, affection, humor, and passion for life. He is a great father to our four kids - Becky 8 1/2, Gabby 7 1/2, Anthony 6, and Angelica 4 1/2 & our beautiful 2 year old golden retriever - London. We all enjoy his famous-amos pancakes or buttered eggs w/sizzling hot chocolate and warm coffee. London enjoys her bike rides and getting her teeth brushed. Anthony loves playing his drums to his "buddy" "dad." Angelica loves singing in the studio with daddy. Gabby loves daddy squeezing her cheeks and jumping onto him in the pool. Becky loves daddy playing the piano as she sings along and playing in the pool w/him. Mommy and all love his juicy hugs, tickling him and contagious smile. He is a great peace maker. Knows how to balance life and gives strengthens and great knowledge to his family & others. He is most patient. He is gifted in his music and expresses his inner feelings to the universe. He is great in teaching his kids reading and is a passionate teacher. Whenever we are sick - he babies us w/tenderness. All who know him - adore him. To know him - is to love him. I love you!
I love my husband of almost 18 years! He is a great dad, and I love the way he gets into what our girls do like their school projects, or finding info for them on the net that he knows they like. He always takes them on the train to S.B. for special days and makes them feel like little princesses. My husband works in law enforcement, so MOST holidays (including Father's day), he is working. He never complains about his job and the work he does for us and the public. He works long shifts, but he takes the kids to their schools on his days that he can so he can be part of their daily life. He has been a great person to raise them with! So many other wonderful things about him...but only 100 words =).
Darren Lisle is an incredible father to our two children, Emma (6) and Justin (3). When we had Emma, Darren and I decided to each work part time so we could alternate staying home to care for our children. As any "stay-at-home" mom knows, parenting children is the toughest job there is. Darren was willing to put career goals on hold and become Mr. Mom part time, and what a gift that has been to our children. Money is tight, but Darren knows this time is priceless. He cherishes all the moments, whether it is participating at Justin's preschool, bravely volunteering to teach art in Emma's kindergarten class, patiently letting the kids help him cook even though they spill half the food, rolling down grass hills and running back up again until he's out of breath because the kids can't get enough, endlessly repeating a phrase the kids think is funny, finding every hidden park in town to play at, or wrestling for hours with both our rambunctious children. Our children are so lucky to have their father so actively involved in their lives. They know that their dad is there for them if they need him, and feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings with him. He is also a wonderful partner to have when parenting is challenging, because he knows he's going through it, too! His patience, understanding, and creativeness are truly inspirational. He is one of the lucky few who have realized the old saying: Many men can make a fortune, but very few can build a family.
Devon, my husband, is the best father! He watches cartoons with our kids, takes them on rides to a ranch to visit our goats every weekend, and takes them to the grocery store or movie store when I need a break. He reads to them every night, and says a special prayer with them that his mother used to say to him. Both of our girls have a very special relationship with him, and I couldn't ask for a better dad for my girls.
I would like to nominate my husband--my best friend and truly the best father I could ask for my four children. He is a hands-on dad; whether he is up at 4:00am or 7:00 am for work, he comes home and helps with homework, dinner, and bed time, always with love. Weekends are about family time; he'd rather be outdoors on some kind of adventure with the kids. Why I know he is the best dad is that when he comes home from work, they always run outside yelling, "Daddy! You are home! We missed you!" before he can even get out of the car. I love that!
On June 10th, 2008, my father died of a heart attack - five days before Father's Day. Not only did James help me through that difficult time, he put his own Father's Day on hold. He took our children out of the house daily, giving me time to handle my Father's Estate, and to grieve. Then he let my two sisters move in with us, and helped them get their driver's licenses and places of their own. His love and patience has empowered everyone in my family, and that's the kind of man that deserves to be "Father of the Year."
"I think my dad is the best dad because he gives me the best shots." (Paige was diagnosed with Type I diabetes in March.) "He gives piggyback rides. He reads me stories. He takes me to the movies. He takes me to Chuck E Cheese. He likes to play games with me like Lord of the Rings, Stratego, and Sorry! Daddy is my friend."
My husband Ryan is a wonderful Dad! When we go out, he must push the stroller or carry our daughter Ella. He holds her and plays with her every chance that he gets. He calls my cell phone and talks to Ella on the speaker phone when he's working late. He just opened his own business but always schedules his clients around Ella's life. He is loving, sensitive, and kind!
Not only is my husband an incredible hands-on, faithful father to our 2 children, but he makes time to be our daughter's basketball coach, paint her toenails and braids her long hair. He helps our son build Star Wars figures, and shows them both how to paint. He's an amazing artist with patience and humor. He's the best husband and father for our children that I could ever want. :-)
Steve is a wonderful father. He works full time during the days and goes to school in the evenings. Somehow, in his hectic schedule, he always finds time for our 3 boys: Peyton (2) and Drake and Damian (almost 4 years old). Our boys are full of energy, and Steve can match it regardless of the day he has had. Last month, he taught Drake to ride his bike without training wheels! He dedicates every minute he has to our boys and continues to be a great husband! I couldn't ask for a better role model for my sons!
My husband Tom is the most wonderful husband/father I know. He is 100% involved and I can always count on him. My son lights up when he sees him, as do I after 9 years of being in his life. I couldn't be the person I am without him. He completes me and I love him with all my soul!
I have no idea how this young mother of three children (ages 6, 3, & 1) does it. Her husband is in the USMC and deploys often for 7 months at a time. He is also deployed at this time for 7 months. Her kids all have great personalities, but they are also very hyperactive and nonstop all day long. When their father has been gone for a while they get used to just mom. So it's 1 against 3, but this young woman makes sure all the kids are very well taken care of. She also is there to help anyone who needs it. I've known of times when she's helped take care of family friends who have had a loved one pass away, and she's there for the person who is sick and the family who is going through all of it. I've asked when would she have time...she will wait until the children are asleep and have someone stay with them so she can be there for her friends and family and would stay until the middle of the night sometimes, and then get up with the kids as soon as the sun comes up and do it all over again. This woman is a single parent most of the time, but if someone needs her she doesn't think twice about it and just takes care of it all. I truly believe this is an amazing woman and I feel she should be recognized for it.
I've been deployed to Iraq for the past 8 months. During that time, my wife Dream has been doing a wonderful job of taking care of daughters Judy (5) and Rebecca (4). My being away is hard on the family, and Dream works hard to make sure the children have interesting things to do and can talk wtih me every night! Judy even learned to read while I was gone! We have photos showing ways that we keep in touch (I can email to you), or you can visit my blog for more info, www.briannomi.wordpress.com.
I nominate my mother Julia who is truly my role model. She radiates love, understanding, and kindness to all. She has instilled values and morals and worked her hardest to be supportive as a single parent. Julia is a blessing and I love her dearly!
Karen inspires me. Karen recently changed professions. Previously she was a software engineer working long hours; 6a.m. -10p.m. and I would rarely see her. Now she is teaching DATA classes and two math courses at NPHS. She changed professions in order to spend more time with the family. She has taught me to always do my best, not giving up when things get tough. She also taught me that school comes first, but also encourages hanging out with friends. Most recently we have been volunteering at the Creative Arts Sciences workshop. Karen, I believe, should be nominated for this honor.
Ashley Johnson is a 3rd/4th grade teacher at Ventura Charter School of Arts and Global Education, and in a word she is AMAZING! My son has been in her class for the past two years and there are not enough words to thank her for all she has done for her students. Her energy, commitment, kindness, and patience are endless. At the end of the day most kids at schools across the country are lined up waiting to be excused to run home, or an after school activity, Ashley's students don't want to leave the classroom and often hang around. She makes them feel loved and safe, all while teaching them not only how to read, write, and mathematics, but life skills, communication, compassion, and conflict resolution. At this time of the year many teachers are looking for to the summer break and are tired. Ashley seems to relish in the last few days she has to spend with her class and has all the enthusiasm and energy she did on the first day of school. She is a gift and will be one of those teachers my son, and all her students will remember forever!
Chip is a resource teacher at Pacific High School. He works with the kids that are from extremely disadvantaged homes, some are homeless, parents addicts etc. and his job is to prepare them for the outside world. He loves them, builds their self esteem and opens their world to possibilities for the future. He inspires and cares for each one and they call him after graduation from all over the country to say thanks. Chip is very active in the CTA and an amazing individual who is dedicated and committed to his students and teachers success.
Oh boy, only 100 words? My 4yr old son received speech and language along with occupational therapy from Judi in the last couple of years. Judi gave my son the tools necessary for him to function as a little boy in this world. With her he learned how to communicate with us and his peers, to ask for what he needs, to follow processes to achieve the desired outcome. Most of all, Judi gave me incredible strength, taught me to hang on, and when I questioned myself and my parenting, she was there with tremendous support and understanding. She made my child feel safe and taught him to feel secure, for this my husband and I will be eternally grateful. She is a model teacher/specialist in her field, and we are going to miss her terribly. Thank you Judi, for giving us the incredible gift of helping our son!!! With love, Susie and Gerrit van der Kooij
Laura Ruiz has dedicated many years (dare I say decades?) of her life to the enrichment of kindergarten aged children. She is an amazing teacher at Ventura Charter School who reaches beyond the minimum standards to improve the experience for her students. She is generous with each child and family and although she balances a family of her own and countless community roles, she makes each of her thirty families feel understanding, concern and attention. This is an amazing gift to families beginning the school experience. She is known to everyone locally since she's likely to have taught your neighbor, freind or colleagues family. We cherish her and feel so lucky to have had her as our daughter's kindergarten teacher last year. We hope you'll honor her for her amazing contribution to Ventura.
Leigh Ann Rollag is an amazing teacher whose dedication and enthusiasm deserve special recognition. As a preschool teacher in the visually strucured class at Penfield School in Ventura, Teacher Leigh works with children with autism. She is a true gem of a teacher, exactly the kind you would want for your young child. We love you Teacher Leigh!
Ms. Leary teaches 5th Grade at Pierpont Elementary. She is a wonderul teacher, very real and makes learning fun and is filled with insights and a natural gift for teaching. My daughter has flourished in her environment and is learning so much, especially about Science. She give the kids her best and they all love her. I vote for Mrs. Leary!
Mrs. McDonald is definitely worthy of the honor of being chosen as the best teacher of the year. She was my daughter's kindergarten/first grade teacher at Sunset School. I am a teacher myself, so I speak with experience when I say that she is an incredible teacher. At the beginning of the school year, Mrs. McDonald had to switch from having a kindergarten class to having a combination classroom of kindergarten/first grade. As any teacher knows, this can be quite a challenge, but Mrs. McDonald never faltered, and she met the challenge with grace. My daughter and her fellow students blossomed under Mrs. McDonald's caring instruction. Her ability to build a sense of community in her classroom is quite a gift. Whenever there was a conflict among students, Mrs. McDonald dealt with it in a manner that was fair, patient, and understanding. She would allow the students to voice their feelings in a safe, respectable way, all the while also guiding the students to reach a positive outcome. By the end of the year, it was so wonderful to see the students have respect for themselves, their peers, and their teacher. Mrs. McDonald is teaching first grade next year, and every parent I talked to was hoping their kindergarten child would be in her class next year. That is high praise!
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