Contact: Marty Fujita (646-4412) or msfujita@sbcglobal.net

                        Ojai Education Foundation

 September 6, 2006

For immediate release

Doug Becker Named Ojai Education Foundation’s Education Hero of the Year

OEF Garden of Knowledge Event Also Honors California Public Education Official and Nordhoff High School Graduate, Leslie Fausset 

            After considering a stellar field of candidates, the Ojai Education Foundation chose Doug Becker as its 2006 Education Hero of the Year, honoring a widely respected and beloved educator with a 24 year long history in Ojai. Becker began his career as dean of the Ojai Valley School. He taught at St. Thomas Aquinas School, and joined the Ojai Unified School District in 1977. He taught various subjects including math, social studies, English, drafting and physical education, and coached cross country, basketball and track. He became a counselor in 1992 and dean of students at Matilija in 1999. In 2001 he became principal of San Antonio School and added Summit in 2002, returning to Matilija as principal in 2003.

 After earning two master’s degrees and seven California credentials, and working in every school in Ojai except Chaparral, and teaching at the elementary, junior high, high school, community college and university levels, Becker retired from OUSD in July, 2006. “I can hardly believe that 24 years have passed since I started my education career here in Ojai,” said Becker. “It has been a rich and rewarding experience”, but he added, that he is looking forward to spending time with his grown daughters and his wife Diana, who also retired from her OUSD kindergarten teacher position in July. Becker still has an active role in education as an associate professor and special education coordinator at Azusa Pacific University. Becker will be honored at the Ojai Education Foundation’s Garden of Knowledge on September 16. 

The event will also honor Leslie Fausset, who served as Chief Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction in the California Department of Education. This is an Ojai homecoming for Fausset, a graduate of Nordhoff High School. Fausset will deliver a keynote address at the Garden of Knowledge event. “I am honored to have been asked to come back to Ojai in this capacity, and am a firm believer in public education and the importance of community support for our public schools,” said Fausset. “OEF exemplifies this kind of critical support that help our public schools strive for excellence”, she added.

The OEF Garden of Knowledge event will raise funds to support OUSD schools; in 2006 and 2007 the funding will be directed towards strengthening science education in elementary and junior high school levels. In association with this event, the OEF is also conducting a raffle for unique art pieces donated by noted artists, Otto Heino, Ted Gall, and Sherri Loehr. For more information on the event or the raffle, go to http://www.ojaief.org or call 646-4412.