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Scott Fraser
Department Chair and Professor, Electrical Technology
Long Beach City College

“I happened into education accidently,” said Scott Fraser, Department Chair and Professor of Electrical Technology at Long Beach City College. In fact, as a student Scott studied in the very department he now calls home. After visiting an old professor in 1997, Scott shortly thereafter found himself teaching, and loving every minute of it since. Although he’s a professor of Electrical Technology, Scott is best known for his work in underwater robotics. We received several votes for this innovative instructor, for his commitment to unique learning, and his ability to effectively educate students in an area often considered off limits – the combination of water and electrical technology. In addition to teaching his discipline, Scott believes his role as an educator is to prepare students for meaningful and successful careers. He also maintains the goal of providing them basic skills in math, reading, writing and critical thinking, all necessary for many students coming out of high school ill prepared to navigate a higher education.  It is for his commitment to electrical technology and understanding of the unique needs of many students that Scott Fraser is being recognized as one of Long Beach’s Best Teachers.

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Sandra Rogers
Language Curriculum Leader, Long Beach Unified School District
Adjunct Professor, Department of Teacher Education, California State University Long Beach

Sandra Rogers is a veteran educator in Long Beach, serving as a Language Curriculum Leader for Long Beach Unified School District and a faculty member in the College of Education at Cal State Long Beach. She too became a teacher by accident, having studied pre-med at Stanford University until she received a less than desirable grade in Chemistry. Sandra did quite better in French, the discipline in which she obtained a Bachelor’s degree prior to securing her teaching credential. Sandra’s first post was teaching Remedial English to pupils often referred to as “those students” in Long Beach. She welcomed the assignment, and was successful at it. Success is perhaps the best way to describe her career, one in which she has performed as a teacher, administrator, and college professor. When asked why she entered a career in education, Sandra responded that “all students, especially “those students,” deserve teachers who care and believe in them. It is for this reason that Sandra Rogers is one of Long Beach’s Best Teachers. 

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Ruth Mohr-Silofau
Physical Education Teacher
Wilson High School

Physical Education is often a forgotten, yet critical piece of curriculum for developing students. Ruth Mohr-Silofau understands this well. She has taught at Wilson High School for 21 years, and her entrance into life as a teacher is quite unique. “I was the fat girl with the pretty face and was always the last one picked for any activity.” Now she’s the in-shape, lipstick wearing PE teacher loved by her students and appreciated by so many more. Last month Ruth accepted the statewide High School Teacher of the Year award from the California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. It’s remarkable to be recognized on such a large scale, and we congratulate Ruth on her achievement. What we find most remarkable, however, is that Long Beach gets to enjoy her talents. Perhaps we’re a little selfish…

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Ann Driskill
Kindergarten and 1st Grade Teacher
Fremont Elementary School

Ann Driskill is a product of Long Beach education. After earning elementary and early childhood credentials at CSULB 32 years ago, she started her career at Samuel Gompers Elementary, went on to John Muir Elementary, and settled down in her current post at Fremont Elementary. This is where Ann has spent the last 24 years teaching Kindergarten through 3rd grades. “I try to set children up for success by celebrating every stage in the learning process,” said Ann when asked about the successful teaching style she has utilized over her career. The years have not all been peachy though. Ann noted that her biggest challenges revolve around finding the right way to help struggling children succeed with challenging skills, concepts or social issues. Despite such challenges, Ann has effectively served students and families and is a highly respected veteran in the Long Beach Unified School District. Congratulations on the recognition Ann, you certainly deserve it!

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Stephanie Powell
Professor of Dance, Long Beach City College
Modern Dance Instructor, University of California Irvine

Long Beach City College is very lucky to have Stephanie Powell directing its Dance program. A California native who received a Bachelor’s in Sociology from UC Berkeley and a Master’s in Fine Art from UC Irvine, Stephanie has been teaching dance since 1985. While at Irvine she was recognized as a Chancellor’s Fellow and was honored with the Celebration of Teaching Award from the Claire Trevor School of the Arts. In addition to serving LBCC, Stephanie has remained at her alma mater where she currently teaches Modern dance part time.   Her teaching style requires that students gain technical skill in numerous dance technique classes but that they also attain a kinesthetic awareness of the body. Added to her love for the art of dance and commitment to teaching its fundamentals, Stephanie is committed to scholarly research on African Americans in ballet and modern dance. Stephanie teaches Dance Appreciation, Composition, Ballet, Pointe, Modern Dance, Jazz, Turns, Dance History, Performance Workshop, Yoga and Pilates. She is a certified instructor of the New York City Ballet Workout and has taught contemporary dance and ballet throughout the US, Australia, Europe and Asia. She has also performed in Broadway shows as both a singer and dancer, a testament to her many talents. For her impressive resume and for sharing her skill with students in Long Beach, Stephanie is most definitely one of our Best Teachers.  

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Dr. Craig Smith, CSULB
Department Chair, Film and Electronic Arts
Professor, Communication Studies

Some would wonder when Dr. Craig Smith has time to be a good teacher. When he’s not on campus at Cal State Long Beach serving as the Department Chair of Film and Electronic Arts and Professor of Communication Studies, Dr. Smith maintains many, many roles. He is the Director of the CSULB Center for First Amendment Studies, the founder of the Freedom of Expression Foundation, board member for the Andre Agassi Foundation, board member at Rancho Los Cerritos, private consultant on political and first amendment matters, and perhaps most importantly, the Faculty Trustee for the 23 campus Cal State University system. Dr. Smith’s scholarly work is in the area of Communication Rhetoric. He has written several books on the topic, lectured around the nation, and put his knowledge into action as a political speech writer for President Richard F. Nixon. When we asked one of Dr. Smith’s current students to comment on the hype of this popular professor, his response was simply that Dr. Smith introduces complex topics in a very down-to-earth way. Ability to engage with students in this generation is challenging in itself, but Dr. Smith has found his niche. To be fair, we’re sure he found it long ago. 

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Dr. James Manseau Sauceda, CSULB
Director and Founder, Multi Cultural Center
Professor, Communication Studies

Dr. James Manseau Sauceda is a well known figure at Cal State Long Beach. Known primarily as the extroverted Director of the Multi Cultural Center, Dr. Sauceda acts as a vast resource on issues dealing with human relations, culture and communication studies. He is also a professor of Communication Studies, emphasizing intercultural communication, multiculturalism and international education. Dr. Sauceda earned a B.A. in Speech Communication and M.A. in Communication Studies from CSULB and a doctorate in Communication Arts and Sciences from USC.  His background and influence is far reaching. He is a renowned speaker on multicultural issues, having addressed hundreds of organizations nationwide. He is co-author and trainer for the S.T.A.R. (Students Talk About Race) Curriculum Manual and has trained over 2,000 students as cross-cultural facilitators and placed them in area middle and high schools. He also authored The Peace Mentor Projects’ Hearts and Handbook, a manual that provides 40 hours of training for students at Cabrillo High School. Dr. Sauceda has written and directed several musicals, published a multitude of scholarly articles and much, much more. It is safe to say the Dr. Sauceda is an expert in his field who serves not only to educate people, but to bring about peace and harmony in this world. When I asked him why he chose a career in education, I got the most unusual response: “In a wonderful way I didn't "decide" on a career in education, rather the career decided on me. By that I mean that the degrees I earned were so soul satisfying that I wasn't even thinking of how I would apply them in life.” It seems he figured out how to apply them!

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Dr. Kirstyn Chun
Clinical Phychologist
Faculty Advisor, Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Resource Center
California State University, Long Beach

Some may argue that Dr. Chun is not technically a teacher, but teaching is exactly what she does. As a Clinical Psychologist at Cal State Long Beach, she retains faculty status but spends most of her time providing individual therapy to students at the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) office. Dr. Chun also leads a support group for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students and serves as the Faculty Advisor to the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Resource Center, one of five cultural resource centers located on university grounds. Dr. Chun makes our list due to her strong commitment to honoring different cultures and promoting a shared understanding of diverse communities. “At CSULB, we strive to honor all forms of diversity and are committed to principles of inclusion in teaching, research, and student engagement,” said Dr. Chun. In addition to her full time counseling job, leading a support group, advising students, and continuing her scholarly work, Dr. Chun also finds time to assist colleagues with special projects. This march, she accompanied a group of students, faculty and staff to the CSULB Human Relations Summit in Lake Arrowhead. This weekend retreat collected a cohort of the campus community to discuss personal and group identities, break down known stereotypes, and engage in conversations about racism in today’s society. Dr. Chun has unique talents that address unique needs of diverse student populations, and for this we are grateful for her work and happily congratulate her on being one of Long Beach’s Best Teachers.

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Cathy Bailey
Preschool Teacher
Long Beach City College

Cathy is well known at Long Beach City College. Whether she’s teaching preschool at the Pacific Coast campus or instructing adults on how to be effective teachers themselves, Cathy makes a significant footprint at our city’s community college. Her true interest is in the youngest students, knowing that the first five years are a critical time in the development of a child’s mind and his/her motivation to learn. Her most rewarding experiences, therefore, are hearing that former students feel passionate about learning and that they continue their education. The Long Beach Post received considerable feedback on Cathy for the level of seriousness she attributes to the education of preschool aged children. We think they’re important too, and very enthusiastically welcome Cathy to this list of amazing teachers.