Blair High School Wins Fefferman Award for Excellence in Math and Science Education

The Pasadena Community Foundation has awarded its second annual $50,000 Dr. Robert Fefferman Award for Excellence in Math and Science Education to Blair High School’s science department. Michele Manzanares, a science teacher at Blair High School, was chosen as the recipient of a $25,000 cash award. In addition to the $25,000 unrestricted gift to the teacher, the Fefferman award also benefits the teacher’s school with a $15,000 grant to the Blair science department. Two Blair senior students will each receive a $5,000 college scholarship for outstanding performance in math or science.

The Fefferman Award acknowledges outstanding high school math and science teachers and students in the Pasadena Unified School District.

The winner of the 2016 Fefferman Award was announced at a dinner on Wednesday, May 4 attended by five teacher finalists, the Fefferman Selection Committee, Pasadena Community Foundation staff, Superintendent Dr. Brian McDonald, Mayor Terry Tornek, principals Tim Sippel from Muir, Mark Anderson from Marshall, Trudell Skinner of Blair and Gilbert Barraza of Pasadena High School.

The winning teacher, Michele Manzanares, was announced by Dr. Robert Fefferman, visiting from Chicago for this event. Ms. Manzanares, sitting next to her husband and principal, became emotional as the award was announced. She gave a special thanks to her wonderful students.

Ms. Manazares, who received an outstanding statement of endorsement from Principal Skinner, began teaching at Blair in 2000. She has taught a wide range of classes from AP Biology to Life Science. She herself was inspired by teachers in high school and pursued a teaching career to “open [students] eyes to the wonder of science.”

Not only does Ms. Manzanares push her students to succeed, she always looks for ways to better herself, to support her community, and to play a leadership role at Blair. She leads the Blair Health Careers Academy, where she does not settle for letting her students just be average. Ms. Manzaneres believes that her students can reach the highest ranks of the health and science fields. During the selection committee’s visits to her classroom, she demonstrated an outstanding grasp of her subject and an unusual knack for bringing out the best in her students and encouraging participation and engagement.

The Fefferman Award rewards and inspires excellence in math and science teaching at the high school level. The award is made possible by an anonymous donor, who believes that outstanding educators inspire students to pursue a higher level of math and science education; and that students who are inspired to pursue jobs in the fields of math and science can help the local Pasadena community and the world. Because science and math education strengthens critical thinking, problem solving, and creative reasoning skills, students succeed academically, economically and personally.

The award is named in honor of Dr. Robert Fefferman, the Max Mason Distinguished Service Professor of Mathematics at the University of Chicago. His work includes research mathematics, teaching, and service to his University and to the community at large including the Chicago Public Schools. He is an inspiration to many, including the donor who named the award in his honor.

After reviewing applications for the award, the Selection Committee chose five finalists, visited their classrooms and conducted in-person interviews. Each of the four other teacher finalists received a certificate and $1,000 for their excellence.

Fefferman Finalists

Ms. Sumita Luthria, John Muir High School; AP Calculus, Precalculus, Algebra II
Sumita Luthria began teaching in 1982 in Mumbai, India. She came to PUSD in 1994 as a substitute teacher and has been working at Muir since 1996. She served as head of the math department for two years, Math Field Day coach, and class advisor. In 2014, Stanford University selected Ms. Luthria to participate in the Project Summer Scoring Institute, Innovative Lab Network Performance Assessment. She also completed the Stanford University SCALE program. Sumita Luthria truly cares about her students and routinely goes above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that her students excel. Sumita Luthria was a 2015 finalist for the Fefferman Award.

Mr. Jose Herrera, Pasadena High School; AP Calculus AB and BC, College Prep Math
Jose Herrera has taught within PUSD since 1990 and at Pasadena High School since 2006. With a Bachelor of Science from Stanford University and a Masters of Education from Claremont Graduate School, Mr. Herrera has both the academic background and many years of experience that make a great teacher. Jose Herrera exhibits a great deal of compassion for his students while still keeping his expectation high. He wants them to leave his classroom not only with an understanding of the mathematical formulas and algorithms, but about how math can be used to solve complicated problems both in school and in the real world.

Mr. Richard Eric Mulfinger, Marshall Fundamental School; AP Statistics, AP Calculus AB & BC, Math III
Richard Eric Mulfinger began teaching in 1986 and came to Marshall Fundamental School in 1998. Mr. Mulfinger has always played an active role in the school, serving as Math Department Chair, Advanced Placement Coordinator, Chess Club Coordinator, and Cross Country coach, among other activities. Selected as a National Board Certified Math Teacher and Pasadena Rotary Teacher of Excellence, Mr. Mulfinger is always looking for innovative ways to improve and routinely enrolls in professional conferences and institutes. Mr. Mulfinger was a 2015 finalist for the Fefferman Award.

Mr. Bharatchandra Parekh, John Muir High School; Integrated I, Math Topics
Bharatchandra Parekh has taught within PUSD since 2007 and at Muir High School since 2010. A passionate teacher to say the least, this individual goes to great lengths to ensure his students’ success. From a summer mathematics enrichment course, to weekend teaching sessions, to visiting other classes as a math coach, Mr. Parekh dedicates a full schedule to ensuring his students’ success. With very high California High School Exit Exam pass rates and a classroom environment that successfully encourages participations, Mr. Parekh is a great asset to PUSD. Bharatchandra Parekh was a 2015 finalist for the Fefferman Award.

2016 Award Selection Committee
Anonymous donor
Ms. Laura Pagano, Co-chair Fefferman Award Committee
Mr. Chris Bragg, Co-chair Fefferman Award Committee
Mr. Rick McAlpin, Corporate Vice President, Parsons Corporation
Ms. Eddie Newman, Board member, Pasadena Community Foundation; former principal, John Muir High School
Dr. Donna E. Nordstrom, Professor of Mathematics, Pasadena Community College
Dr. Paul Rothemund, Senior Research Associate, California Institute of Technology