Teachers with 'Golden Touch' recognized

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This week, five IUSD high school teachers were honored by their respective students for making a profound difference in the lives of young people. The Golden Touch awards program, established in 1984, annually gives high school students an opportunity to recognize the positive impacts of adults who go above and beyond in their roles as educators. The 2010 honorees included Justin Stanfield of Creekside High School, Karen Harwood of Irvine High, Christina Banagas-Engelerdt of Northwood High, Susan Rashap of University High and William Bell of Woodbridge High. This year’s ceremony, held Wednesday morning at the Tustin Ranch Country Club, also celebrated teachers from the Newport-Mesa, Orange and Tustin unified school districts. Honorees were introduced by their own students, who explained how those selected made a positive impact on their lives. “The student representatives did great work describing how each of these folks has touched students’ lives,” Creekside Principal Paul Mills said afterward. The Golden Touch event is organized annually by Community Service Programs, a non-profit agency serving those who are at risk of involvement with the justice system. Established in 1972, CSP has eight model programs serving more than 90,000 people each year with counseling, shelter and support services.