Local teachers honored as community heroes by Tahoe Douglas Rotary

The Tahoe-Douglas Rotary Club held their annual Community Heroes Awards luncheon at the MontBleu Resort on Friday, April 27. In the past the club has honored firefighters, law enforcement and dispatch employees. This year, the awards went to local teachers from five schools: Whittell High School, South Tahoe High School, South Tahoe Middle School, Bijou Community School, Sierra House Elementary and Zephyr Cove Elementary.

Whittell High School: The winner is Susan Van Doren who has taught Engligh and Computer Science. She has taught for 20 years.

South Tahoe High School: The winner is Nannette "Niv" Niven who has taught several classes in the Theater department along with directing the annual plays. She has taught for 21 years.

South Tahoe Middle School: The winner is Kathleen Whatford who has taught Physical Education for 30 years.

Bijou Community School: The winner was Laura Chappel who is in her 12th year of teaching first grade.

Sierra House Elementary: The winner is Heather Hart who has taught K-5 at all schools in the Lake Tahoe Unified School District for the last 18 years. She is currently teaching 5th grade at Sierra House.

Zephyr Cove Elementary: The winner is Ashley Boulet who teaches Kindergarten. She is in her second year of teaching.

Besides being honored at the luncheon, this year's recipients were also honored during the Rotary club's annual St. Patrick's Day fundraiser where they were also presented with staycations from Harrah's Tahoe.

Presenting awards during Friday's luncheon were members of the Whittell High School Interact Club, Rotary International's high school club.