In fifth-grade teacher Kelly Nakano's classrooms at Mill Park Elementary School in Portland, students have a clear understanding of their learning goals and what they must do to reach them. They graph improved performance on math computation, log reflections on their reading and lead parents conferences, explaining their own strengths and areas of weakness. Although many of her students are challenged by their ESL, special education or gifted education needs, Miss Nakano inspires them all to achieve. She is active in a variety of school improvement efforts, including the school site council and curriculum development teams at both the school and district levels, and was selected to head the school's Summer Academy.
1988 University of Oregon, B.S.
