A nomination for this award is very prestigious and he was escorted by Principal Sara Sheridan to the banquet held on January 22, 2016 in Redding.
Principal Sheridan sent the following letter on his behalf:
“In the 30 years that Dave Valle has been at Portola High School, he has earned the reputation for being one of the most respected and well-liked teachers on our campus. His students describe him as a teacher with high expectations, creative and engaging lessons and a passion for the subject that he teaches.
Mr. Valle is dedicated to educating and exposing his students to the outdoors and the world of science. He has spent years developing and perfecting the curriculum for each of the many classes that he teaches. His Biology, Anatomy, AP Environmental Science, Museum Science and junior high science classes are the highlight of the courses that we offer each year. His classes are run flawlessly – he consistently utilizes technology as he engages his students in discussions on the most recent scientific research. His daily lessons are designed to make his students think critically and engage in hands-on activities. He motivates and inspires his students!
Mr. Valle consistently goes above and beyond for his students. Each year, he takes his AP Environmental Science class on a 3 day camping trip to study wildlife conservation and learn the importance of habitat conservation and stewardship for the benefit of Elk and other wildlife. He has created strong community partnerships with the local Audubon Society, Feather River Land Trust and the Fish and Game Commission. These partnerships have resulted in outstanding learning experiences for our students. He works closely with our Outdoor Education Coordinator to engage his students in field trips that center on local watershed education.
Mr. Valle is passionate about exposing his students to wildlife and the outdoors. Over a four year period, he and his classes (with the help of community organizations) constructed a phenomenal outdoor education classroom and trail system. The outdoor education area, which is located directly behind the school, has a 1-mile trail loop and an outdoor classroom with a stage and stadium style seating. Under his direction, his students have installed wildlife guzzlers, bird houses and motion sensor cameras that keep a record of the growing number of animals that visit the area daily.
Mr. Valle is not only well-liked and respected by his students, but by the staff and community as well. He works well with all teachers on our staff and he is consid-
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