2009 Distinguished Service Award
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Congratulations to Anna J. Small Roseboro, the California Association of Teachers of English 2009 Distinguished Service Award winner.In our profession, so much is required in order to be everything our students deserve. The demands are great; this is no career for the uncommitted. Teaching well takes diligence, knowledge, passion, energy, flexibility, and skill. Occasionally we meet someone at a conference, on a committee or a college class, or, if we're especially fortunate, on our own staff, who exemplifies that ideal sense of professionalism that is so easily recognizable. These leaders are our models and our guides, the men and women for whom our respect is earned, and with whom we have the common goal of providing the best opportunities for student achievement. Each year CATE honors such a leader in the teaching of English/language arts with their highest recognition, the Distinguished Service Award. This year's deserving honoree is Anna Roseboro. |
Anna came to San Diego in the mid-1980's after having taught some 20 years in Michigan, New York, and Massachusetts. The Bishop's School in La Jolla became her professional home from 1987 until 2005, where she served as speech teacher, English teacher, department chair, mentor teacher, and summer session director.
During this time she earned a fellowship through the San Diego Area Writing Project, later becoming a member of their Board of Advisors. She earned her Masters degree in Curriculum Design, became a National Board Certified Teacher, and frequently presented workshops at local, regional, statewide, and national conferences and conventions. She was named Speech Coach of the year, and in 1998, her overall work in the San Diego area earned her CATE's Classroom Excellence Award.
She has published several articles, in CATE's California English, NCTE's English Journal and English Leadership Quarterly, The Creative Writing Journal, Easy Reference, the California Association of Independent Schools' Quarterly, Promising Practices, and for the book publisher Scott Foresman. As consultant and critical reader for textbooks, her input has been invaluable to McDougal Littell, Perfection Learning, and Scott Foresman. An article reviewer for English Journal and contributor to California English, she also worked as an evaluator of research proposals for National Professional Teaching Standards for the Rand Corporation in 2002.
In 1996, Anna was invited to participate in Rotary International's Study Exchange program for Educators, traveling through Kenya, Mauritius, The Seychelles, and Uganda over a four-week visit, where she had wonderful opportunities to observe, learn, and share.
She joined CATE's Board of Directors in 1998 as Member-at-Large, after having served Greater San Diego Council's Board as member, treasurer, and corresponding secretary. Anna was elected president of CATE for 2002-2004, and was our NCTE liaison from 2004-2005, the same years she co-chaired her school's WASC self-study process and report.
In 2005, Anna retired from The Bishop's School and CATE, and returned to Michigan where she teaches in the Communication Arts and Sciences Department at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, and from where she continues her commitment through her work on that campus, for Michigan Council Teachers of English, and for NCTE.
Since she "retired," Anna has served on NCTE's Conference on English Leadership's Executive and Program Committees. She is Program Chair of NCTE's CEL conference for next November's 2009 annual convention in Philadelphia. Further, also for NCTE, Anna has been a facilitator for The Literacy Institute, mentor for The LeaderShift Institute, member of The Task Force for Diversity, and The Standing Committee on Teacher Preparation.
And yes, she teaches phenomenally as well. Ask anyone who has had the opportunity to observe her in action.
The California Association of Teachers of English recognizes and honors the exemplary work of our colleague, friend, and mentor -- Anna Roseboro.