By Gene Ghiotto
The Press-Enterprise

The discussions in Hemet High School teacher Richard Herold's classroom can be lively. In Susan M. Hass's kindergarten class at Corona's John Adams Elementary School, risk taking is encouraged.

In both classrooms, unlocking doors that enhance a child's willingness to learn take top priority. And for their efforts, Herold and Hass were selected the 1999 Riverside County Teachers of the Year.

The selections surprised both.

"It's a little beyond belief," Herold said.

"It was just an honor getting as far as I did," Hass said.

Herold and Hass were chosen from a field of educators from across Riverside County competing in a program sponsored by the Riverside County Office of Education. Both had won Teacher of the Year in their districts.

Herold has taught in the Hemet Unified School District since 1968. Hass has been with the Corona-Norco Unified School District since 1975.

Hass said she enjoys watching young minds develop and uses children's books and other material to challenge her pupils. She said two decades as a primary education teacher have shown her that youngsters are creative thinkers and scientific.

"The joy of learning is evidenced by the enthusiasm of the children as they read, write or explore new concepts," Hass said in papers supporting her nomination.

She believes the nation's greatest priority is educating its children.

"I believe that education is society's lifeline to the future," Hass said. "As educators, we nurture the doctors, lawyers, artists and writers of tomorrow."

Herold, who teaches political science and history, comes from a family of teachers. His childhood includes memories of his mother and uncle grading papers and discussing their students, Herold wrote in papers supporting his nomination.

"I suppose I was destined to be in the classroom," he wrote.

Like Hass, Herold enjoys challenging students to do their best. He does his best to make sure each day's lessons are interesting: The discussions can become lively, with students shouting out answers and comments.

"I love the repartee," Herold said. "That's part of the great joy of teaching."

Another joy for Herold is coaching Hemet High's academic decathlon team. The schedule can be grueling but Herold said it's worth the effort.

"Think about this, working with 10 to 20 highly motivated, delightful young people," he said. "What better experience could there be than that?"

Hass and Herold will compete for California Teacher of the Year for a chance to be the state's nominee for National Teacher of the Year.

Semifinalists in Riverside County included Stan Crippen of Elsinore High School in Lake Elsinore Unified, Jeffrey Luscher of Santiago High in Corona-Norco Unified and Roberta Pace of Mission Middle School in Jurupa Unified.

Published 9/23/1998