Special-ed teacher is tops

Michael Miller

When Ted Williams saw the crowd approaching on the track at Corona

del Mar High School on Wednesday, he didn’t know what to think.

“We had just finished pull-ups and were going to start push-ups,”

remembered Williams, who teaches adapted physical education in the

Newport-Mesa Unified School District. “Then I saw [Corona del Mar

Principal Brooke] Booth coming down the field 100 yards away, waving

her arms and yelling at me.”

Behind Booth appeared more familiar faces -- Newport-Mesa Supt.

Robert Barbot, Newport-Mesa Federation of Teachers President Jim

Rogers -- and then some unfamiliar ones carrying cameras, flowers and

a golden apple-shaped trophy. By the time the group of photographers,

administrators and county officials arrived at the scene, Williams

learned the good news: He had been selected as one of Orange County’s

five Teachers of the Year for 2004-05.

Every year, the Orange County Dept. of Education invites districts

to nominate teachers for the honor, which goes to four public school

teachers and one college instructor. Afterward, a panel that includes

representatives from the county and the Orange County Teachers

Federal Credit Union interviews applicants and narrows the list down

to five winners. The recipients each receive $15,000 as well as

trophies, gift baskets and certificates.

“These are dynamic, creative teachers regardless of their subject

level, and they are passionately dedicated to engaging their students

in the pursuit of learning,” said Ellen Chariton, executive director

of school and community services for the Orange County Dept. of

Education.

Williams, who has taught in Newport-Mesa for 32 years, will be

recognized along with the other winners on Oct. 27 at the Disneyland

Hotel.

“It’s wonderful, absolutely wonderful,” Williams said of his

award. “I’ve gotten phone calls from people I haven’t heard from in

15 years.”

Although based at Corona del Mar High, Williams teaches physical

education to special-needs children throughout the Newport-Mesa

district, often working at three or four schools a day. Along with

swimming, running and other basic activities, Williams also leads his

students in sports -- albeit with a few twists. When leading classes

in tee-ball, for example, he has batters run all around the bases

after hitting the ball, with no worry of being tagged out at first.

Jane Holm, the principal of Lincoln Elementary, where Williams

teaches physical education classes several times a week, said

communication is his greatest strength.

“He really talks with the kids and on their level,” Holm said.

“It’s not difficult for Ted.”

As a special-education instructor, Williams has a pair of

inspirations right in his family. One is his wife, Mary Jayne

Williams, who also works in Newport-Mesa as an adaptive physical

education teacher. The other is an influential figure from his

childhood -- his uncle, Bob Wagner, who received a college degree in

economics despite being born with muscular dystrophy.

Watching his uncle struggle against adversity prompted Williams to

enter a career in special education.

“I had a good physical body and a good mind, and I wanted to give

back what my Uncle Bob had given to me,” Williams said. “He was my

motivator. If he could get a degree, then I could get a degree.”