Meet CLMS 2012 State Middle School Educator of the Year Francene Trengove

[Katie Sandberg]

Elk Grove Teacher Francene Trengove Named State Middle School Educator of the Year

Francene Trengove was selected from among 11 award-winning educators by the nonprofit California League of Middle Schools to represent the best of middle-grades education in the state.

SACRAMENTO  ̶  Ask Francene Trengove about herself and she’ll steer the conversation toward kids, whether her own two middle schoolers or the students in her English and academic intervention classes at Katherine Albiani Middle School in Elk Grove, Calif. That dedication was rewarded on February 25, 2012, with her recognition as the California League of Middle Schools 2012 State Middle School Educator of the Year.

Ms. Trengove was first selected through a rigorous process from among nine finalists to be the CLMS 2012 Educator of the Year for Region 3, representing the counties of Alpine, Colusa, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Sierra, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba. At the California League of Schools Annual Conference North held at the Sacramento Convention Center from Feb. 24-26, 2012, she was then selected from among 11 regional winners to represent the state.

“I felt embarrassed to have been chosen ̶ there were many other [regional Educators of the Year] who were just as deserving,” she said. “All of them are the teachers you want your own children to have.”

Previously, Ms. Trengove taught in a school where most students came from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and she developed an affinity for students falling too far behind in their academic skills. When she moved to her present school in a more affluent neighborhood, she chose to stay with the students who needed her most and apply her 22 years of experience to helping them build essential self-confidence and skills in English-Language Arts prior to heading to high school.

Her intervention students, half of whom are in special education, use the same curriculum as their grade-level peers, but need more class time, scaffolding, feedback and teacher attention to meet the learning standards. Often students improve enough in Ms. Trengove’s class to move up to the regular classroom.

“I enjoy working with them – they’re funny, they’re quirky, and they’re at an age where you can still make a difference,” she says. “If students feel they belong and are safe in your classroom, they’ll buy into learning.”

About CLMS:
California League of Middle Schools is one of three grade-level educators’ associations of the nonprofit California League of Schools. CLMS provides professional development and resources to teachers and administrators throughout the state.

Images:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24407891@N02/sets/72157629114345204/