District, Masons honor teachers

Burbank Unified School District staff descended upon the new Burbank Masonic Lodge on Tuesday night to join with the Masons to honor the district's best teachers.

Teachers from middle, elementary and high schools in the district were recognized as Educators of the Year. The Masons provided the awards while the district selected the honorees.

Fifth-grade teacher Sheryl Hambro of Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School won for the elementary school category. Physical education teacher Michael Everhart of Burbank Luther Middle School won for the middle school category and history/social science teacher Rich Sarquiz of Burbank High School won in the high school category.

"And what these teachers have in common is, No. 1, a number of years of outstanding service in the classroom; and in addition to that, a number of years of outstanding service outside the classroom," Deputy Supt. Joel Shapiro said.

Each teacher was recommended to the award committee by students and faculty at their respective schools.

Students from Joaquin Miller Elementary, Luther Burbank Middle School and Burbank High School performed for the audience of educators and district staff Tuesday night.