Stan Hitomi named Alamo Citizen of the Year

Hitomi Recognized for Positive Impact on the Community Through his Leadership and Innovative Ideas

 At the 32nd Annual Alamo Music and Wine Festival held on Saturday, September 6th, the Rotary Club of Alamo named Stan Hitomi, principal of Alamo Elementary School, as the 2014 Alamo Citizen of the Year. In addition to being recognized by the Rotary Club of Alamo, Stan also received certificates of appreciation from representatives of Senator Mark DeSaulnier; Assemblymember Joan Buchanan; and Contra Costa County Supervisor Candace Andersen.

“This is the 30^th year that the Rotary Club of Alamo has presented this award,” said Bill Randall, Club president. The Rotary Cub of Alamo selects the Citizen of the Year based on service, integrity, and citizenship. It should be a person who has demonstrated a unique commitment to the Alamo community that places him/her in a special place deserving this recognition. All members of the Alamo community are encouraged each year to nominate that person who best meets these criteria.

As principal of Alamo Elementary School, Stan has made a positive impact on the community through his leadership and innovative ideas. “Five years ago when Stan became principal, Alamo School lagged behind the rest of the district in the use of technology in its classrooms,” said Margie Hart, who was one of the people nominating Stan for this recognition. “He worked tirelessly to bring teachers, parents and the Education Fund on campus together toward the common goal of increasing the use of technology, exemplifying his collaborative approach to leadership. After three years, Stan moved Alamo School to a position of leadership in the San Ramon Valley School District in the use of technology. Stan Hitomi has also demonstrated great leadership in the area of creative teaching of science, technology engineering and math,” Ms. Hart stated.

According to Allen Makely, “Stan is a very effective principal by any measurement. His students perform among the highest in the district. Perhaps Stan’s greatest accomplishments are serving as the district’s science coordinator. His activities have led the way for teacher professional development in science education and our students continue to benefit from a first class education in science, technology, engineering and math.”

“My experience with Stan is more personal,” said Marianne Gagen. “I have seen the effect he had on my son who was fascinated by Stan’s biology class. I have seen his effect on teachers that he has mentored in the district, inspiring them to try new teaching techniques as well as to further their own knowledge of science. The most recent innovative program which he has organized, staffed and taught is ‘Imagineering,’ an after school enrichment programs for 4^th through 8^th grade students,” she stated. “There are four segments: bio-tech, robotics, computer coding, and 3D printing.  It has been a resounding success. It not only teaches students exciting aspects of science that are not included in regular course work, but it also is a method of staff development for our teachers, who observe the programs, and are inspired to either teach upcoming segments, or to get the course work to further their own interest in those subjects.  The hope is that in the future teachers will develop other innovative segments that excite them and our students!” said Ms. Gagen.

Stan Hitomi graduated from UC Berkeley with a Bachelors Degree in Biological Sciences; Sacramento State with a teaching credential; St. Mary’s College with a Masters Degree in Health and Physical Education. He also has his Tier-II Administrative Credential.   Stan worked as a teacher at Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento and then Monte Vista High School in Danville where he taught a wide-range of science and math courses. While at Monte Vista, Stan served as coordinator of the Research and Technology Academy; coordinator of the Digital High School Program; and as the coordinator of the School-based Coordinated Programs. He has also served as the executive director of the Edward Teller Education Center at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Prior to becoming principal of Alamo School five years ago, Stan served as the coordinator of Math and Science for the San Ramon Valley School District.

Stan and his wife, Monica, have one son, who is now a freshman at Monte Vista High School. They reside in Walnut Creek.

The Rotary Club of Alamo was founded on May 7, 1971 and has 50 members. Each year, the Club sponsors the Alamo Music and Wine Festival, which supports the music programs at Alamo and Rancho Romero Elementary Schools, Lucille Mauzy School, Stone Valley Middle School, Monte Vista and San Ramon High Schools and other community and international projects.The Club meets on Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m. at Round Hill Country Club, 3169 Roundhill Road, Alamo.

 

  Alamo Elementary School, Alamo Rotary, citizen of the year, Principal, Stan Hitomi