Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.

KPCC Archive

Burbank Middle School teacher makes national Teacher of the Year finals

Rebecca Mieliwocki has been a teacher at Burbank Middle School for the last nine years.
Rebecca Mieliwocki has been a teacher at Burbank Middle School for the last nine years
(
Teacher2Teacher
)

This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.

The Teacher of the Year award may go to a Burbank Middle School teacher, as one of its teachers, Rebecca Mieliwocki, is among five national finalists.

Mieliwocki is the kind of teacher schools brag about: she’s described with words like “remarkably gifted and innovative” and “the ultimate professional.”

Last November Mieliwocki was named one of California’s top five educators.

Now she’ll compete for the national honor, which is sponsored by the non-profit Council of Chief State School Officers.

Mieliwocki has been teaching for 13 years, the last nine at Burbank Middle School. She does general ed and also works with gifted students.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson said he’s elated by the news and called Mieliwocki an inspiration to students and teachers alike.

The national winner will be named in April.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.

Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.

If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.

Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today