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Classroom Frontlines: A Special Series On L.A. Public School Teachers Making A Difference

Neon Tommy |
January 6, 2011 | 6:24 p.m. PST

(Photo by Mary Slosson)
(Photo by Mary Slosson)
The teachers of Los Angeles Unified School District have been much in the spotlight recently, if not smack in the gun sights of public opinion. A series of high-profile articles last year in The Los Angeles Times took aim at how poorly they were allegedly evaluated.

Nationwide public school teachers are also being blamed for underpar educational performance.

Rarely, however, do we hear or see the reality they live daily.

A squad of Neon Tommy reporters recently visted with eight LAUSD teachers that nobody has ever heard of. Nobody, except the students they struggle to teach -- against all odds-- on a daily basis.

Here are their stories.

Reporter Aja Dang looks at how teacher Sujata Bhatt has gone high-tech at Grand View Elementary School. Also see her videos and slideshow.

Andrew McIntyre profiles a no-nonsense ninth grade teacher at Oscar De La Hoya High.

Kate Rooney reports on Robert Bendall at Arlington Heights school, saving one student one guitar at a time.

News Editor Benjamin Gottlieb goes into Room 13 at Foshay and finds teacher Jim Midby burning with creativity.

Executive Producer Mary Slosson visits San Pedro High and says teacher Steve Gebbart has no time to sit around waiting for Superman.

Reporter and editor Reut Cohen goes to once legendary Grant High School and finds teacher Barbara Novinger firing bursts of empathy.

Contributor James Kim spends time with teacher Arlisa Coleman to see what the word special means in Special Ed.

Reporter Jennifer Kendall rides along with teacher Lisa Alva at Roosevelt High and finds out why the mascots are called The Rough Riders.



 

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