Orinda Academy's Jeff Quittman Photo provided

Orinda Academy, an independent, college prep school serving grades 7-12, recently announced that history teacher Jeff Quittman is the winner of a $10,000 grant from the Warren W. Eukel Teacher Trust.

Quittman, who has taught at Orinda Academy for 23 years, is one of three Contra Costa county teachers receiving the award from the community-based nonprofit organization, which honors teachers who show extraordinary commitment to students.

"Jeff is highly deserving of this award," says Ron Graydon, founder and director of Orinda Academy. "Many of our students have learning differences and have often been told what they are unable to do. Jeff's warmth, patience, passion, and encouragement have inspired students to understand all that they can achieve, enabling many students to excel."

As a history teacher, Quittman's philosophy is to provide a broadly humanistic approach to the ideas, events, peoples, and extraordinary individuals that have shaped our world. Students learn critical thinking skills while gaining a passion and appreciation for the rich variety of past and present experience, and the multiplicity of ways in which they connect to and illuminate one another.

The award will be presented to Quittman and two other recipients at the Eukel Teacher Trust's 19th Anniversary Awards Dinner on November 18, 2010 at the Diablo Country Club. The event, which is open to the public, is hosted by food and wine critic, Narsai David. He will design a multi-course dinner prepared by chefs from the several local restaurants.

For more information, go to: http://www.eukelteachertrust.org

http://www.orindaacademy.org