The 2012 STEM Teaching Award winners (from left to right) are Tara Sikorski, San Jose High School; Bill Dunbar, Gunn High School; Channy Cornejo, Santa Teresa High School; Bernadette Salgarino, James Lick High School; Mike Sbarbaro, Luther Burbank School; and Debra Dimas (not pictured), East Side Union High School District, Santa Teresa High School.

Supporting education today is critical to the success of businesses and communities. Building math and science proficiency, in particular, instills the skills that drive innovation and ensure global competitiveness.

To recognize effective teachers who are directly helping students in Santa Clara County see the relevance of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills, TI recently named the recipients of its inaugural Texas Instruments STEM Teaching Awards.

Six teachers from throughout Santa Clara County received awards for their outstanding instruction in STEM subjects. The honorees were recognized for their teaching excellence at the Santa Clara County Teacher Recognition Celebration and received cash awards of $1,000 each. They also have an opportunity to attend at no cost a STEM professional development event at the Santa Clara County Office of Education.

"TI is excited to have broadened our presence in Silicon Valley since its acquisition of National Semiconductor, and we are committed to improving education and addressing the critical needs facing our community," said Dave Heacock, TI senior vice president, Silicon Valley. "We partner with excellent organizations like the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) to provide teachers with the tools, training and support they need to engage and inspire their students."

The TI STEM Teaching Awards were added to this year's Teacher Recognition Celebration to acknowledge the growing emphasis placed on preparing students for the global, high-tech workforce. While STEM-related jobs have increased three times the rate of non-STEM jobs nationwide, only 30 percent of high school students graduate ready for college work in science and only 45 percent are college-ready in math.

2012 honorees
A panel of judges selected the honorees from a wide field of candidates. Teacher applicants and their principals both submitted extensive applications. The awards honors STEM teachers in grades 7 through 12 who consistently demonstrate quality instruction, inspire interest and enhance student achievement in STEM subjects.

The 2012 award recipients are:

• Channy Cornejo, East Side Union High School District, Santa Teresa High School, who teaches Advanced Placement statistics/math analysis. Cornejo embraces technology and was the first math teacher on campus to use a smart board actively. In the 2011-12 school year, she launched an AP statistics course, and the popular class is now over-enrolled for 2012-13. Cornejo has played an active role in exciting students to take four years of math classes: In 2012-13, 85 percent of Santa Teresa seniors are enrolled in at least one period of math.

• Debra Dimas, East Side Union High School District, Santa Teresa High School, who teaches Advanced Placement physics. Eighty percent of Dimas' students score a three or better on the AP exam. Dimas is an integral part of the school's science department where she has served as department chair. In the 2012-13 school year, 63 percent of seniors are scheduled for at least one science class.

• Bill Dunbar, Palo Alto Unified School District, Gunn High School, who teaches physics/engineering/ robotics. Gunn administrators credit Dunbar with turning the school's engineering technology program into one of the state's finest. He pioneered a robotics team that has become a model nationwide. Dunbar also used innovative teaching strategies to revitalize Gunn's physics program. Students and their parents rave about Dunbar's classroom, and some call the experience "life-changing."

• Bernadette Salgarino, East Side Union High School District, James Lick High School, who teaches math. Salgarino uses project-based learning, real-world applications and software to help students of all math subjects further their understanding. She is recognized by administrators for her focus, resolve and dedication. She's also known to use dance steps to emphasize the process to solve math problems.

• Mike Sbarbaro, Luther Burbank School District, Luther Burbank School, who teaches eighth grade. In the 2011-12 school year, Sbarbaro dedicated many volunteer hours to start a Lego robotics club called the Luther Burbank Cannibalistic Fist Pumping Bananas. His goal was to enrich students by teaching them software programming, robotics, problem solving and team building. In competition, the team won the Judge's Choice Trophy, just weeks after the group's formation.

• Tara Sikorski, San Jose Unified School District, San Jose High School, who teaches International Baccalaureate biology/Project Lead the Way biotech. Sikorski's classroom is collaborative and rigorous and features project-based learning and assignments. She frequently spends time after school and on weekends to work with students who need extra help. Sikorski is known around campus as a competent, committed and passionate educator.

Each year, the Teacher Recognition Celebration honors Santa Clara County's finest teachers, each selected by their respective school districts. The SCCOE produces the gala with the support of community partners TI, the Santa Clara County Federal Credit Union and the San Jose Mercury News. A tradition enduring more than 40 years, the Teacher Recognition Celebration is the oldest and largest celebration of teachers in California, and the most prestigious local award given to classroom teachers.