"Dr. A.'' Gets District R.O.S.E. Award

LA MESA – Dr. Mark Arapostathis, known as “Dr. A’’ to hundreds of La Mesa students he directs in theater and teaches in school each year, was named the recipient of the La Mesa Spring Valley School District’s annual R.O.S.E. Award for the 2009-2010 school year. The award is given in Recognition of Outstanding Service to Education each year by the district.
Arapostathis, who is also a La Mesa City Council member, was presented the award at Tuesday night’s board meeting, which halted usual school business to praise Arapostathis for his years of dedicated service to the children of the La Mesa area, many of whom attended the awards presentation.
The board members cited Arapostathis’ work as director of Peter Pan Junior Theater, an organization which marked its 30th year during the recent performance. The theater group, which operates independently from the school district but with much district support, has become a traditional source of arts education for hundreds of La Mesa families over the years. Arapostathis also works as a second grade teacher at Rolando Elementary School as well as managing his council duties.
Arapostathis has lived in La Mesa his entire life. He attended Lemon Avenue Elementary School, La Mesa Middle School and graduated from Helix High School. Since 1992 he has taught in the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District at Murdock Elementary, Lemon Avenue Elementary and now at Rolando. In 2000 Mark was honored as one of San Diego County’s Teachers of the Year.
Since 1976 Mark has been involved with Peter Pan Jr. Theater, an after school theater program offered to the students in the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District. He began as a student in the program and is now the director of the theater. For his service to the community through Peter Pan Jr. Theater, in 1999 the San Diego County Board of Supervisors proclaimed March 9th to be Mark Arapostathis Day.
Before joining the City Council, Mark served on the La Mesa Community Services Commission. In addition, he was the President of the La Mesa Arts Alliance as well as a founding member of the Sundays At Six concerts in Harry Griffen Park.
Mark earned a B.A. in education and an M.A. in education from San Diego State University. He also earned a doctorate in education from the University of San Diego and San Diego State University.

Related story: http://www.lamesatoday.com/profiles/blogs/teaching-character-one-pl...

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