Renton Rotary Club honors November Teachers of the Month

Published 2:44 pm Friday, November 21, 2014

Renton Rotary has selected its November Teachers of the Month:

Alisa Vinson is a kindergarten teacher at Lakeridge Elementary School. She attended Grambling State University in Louisiana, where she majored in sociology, then she earned a master’s degree in teaching from City University and administrative credentials from Heritage College. Vinson taught second grade for seven years and has also worked as an educational associate and assistant principal, but she missed the classroom and decided to return as a kindergarten teacher. Vinson has been working in Renton for 17 years.

Christina Marchesini is a first-grade teacher at Sierra Heights Elementary School. She attended the University of Washington, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology. Marchesini continued her education at the University of Washington to earn a master’s in teaching. She began her teaching experience in a public school in Spain, teaching English to primary students. This is Christina’s third year teaching in Renton.

Penelope (Popy) Perkins is both a French and Career and Technical Education Math teacher at Lindbergh High School. Perkins attended Western Washington University, where she earned a bachelor’s in chemistry. She continued her education at Western Washington University to earn a master’s degree in education. Before becoming a teacher, Perkins held a career in the airline industry. She has worked for Eastern Airlines and American Airlines for 25 years. This is her ninth year working in the Renton School District.

As part of the recognition, teachers attend Rotary’s Teacher of the Month recognition luncheon held at the Maplewood Golf Course. Each teacher is introduced, makes a brief comment about their school and classroom, and receives $200 to be used for classroom supplies, or instructional materials.