UKIAH – Dominican University of California celebrated the accomplishments of 19 newly minted teachers and recognized the near-completion of six master’s degree candidates during ceremonies on June 7 at the Saturday Afternoon Clubhouse in Ukiah.

The event marked the 19 students’ completion of their teacher preparation (credential) programs from Dominican. The graduates now will be elementary, high school and special education teachers.

James Dierke, the National Middle-Grades Principal of the Year, was the keynote speaker.

Dierke, who is principal at Visitation Valley Middle School in San Francisco, had just returned from a visit to the White House and a meeting with First Lady Laura Bush. Inspired by his visit, he urged the new teachers to think of themselves as both role models and leaders in their schools and classrooms.

An educator of more than 35 years, Dierke reminded the students that they have to be patient to see the results of their efforts. He said that “sometimes it takes a lifetime for your payoffs. Sometimes we have to wait for students to come back, years later, and then you see that you have indeed made a difference.”

Three outstanding students were nominated by the Ukiah Center’s faculty to represent their peers and programs by sharing their experiences.

Maggie Derrick Singleton, an intern at Dominican and a teacher at the Redwood Achievement Academy in Ukiah, was selected from the multiple-subjects program.

Leslie Banta represented the single-subject program. A full-time math teacher at Ukiah High School, Leslie singled out her intern seminar instructor and group members as those from whom she learned the most.

Banta expressed her gratitude to instructor John McCann (principal, Nokomis Elementary School, Ukiah) for his guidance, and to her classmates for creating a learning community, Wich was often focused on the teaching of mathematics.

Dora Ballard from Forestville represented the education specialists. Ballard returned to Dominican to obtain her education specialist teaching credential after 25 years as a small business owner.

Ballard noted that the program prepared her well for her position as a special education teacher. She singled out her university supervisor, Ted Rosshirt (Sonoma County SELPA), because he helped her through the process and “gave words of encouragement, even when I was overwhelmed and ready to quit.”

The Dominican’s Ukiah Center was established in 1984 and serves Lake, Mendocino and Sonoma Counties. Today hundreds of Ukiah Center graduates are teaching in local schools. These new teachers will be welcomed into the teaching profession by their peers and colleagues.

Information about the teaching credential programs offered in Ukiah may be obtained by calling 463-4800 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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