Woodbridge teacher recognized by county for ‘Outstanding Contributions to Education’

Woodbridge High biology teacher Mike Nakaue was honored Thursday with one of four "Outstanding Contributions to Education" awards by the Orange County Board of Education and county Superintendent William M. Habermehl.

The program, which began in the early 1980s, regularly spotlights individuals and groups that have made significant contributions at schools throughout Orange County. Nakaue, honored as an IUSD Teacher of the Year in 2007, teaches 11th-grade biology and serves as chair of the science department at Woodbridge, where he’s known as a mentor and a staunch advocate for young scientists. He also coordinates a number of teams, including those that take part in the Science Olympiad, the Science Bowl, the Science Oceans Bowl, U.S. First Robotics, the MiniUrban Challenge and the Orange County Academic Decathlon. Dr. Ken L. Williams, a member of the Orange County Board of Education, praised Nakaue for his leadership and “his dedication as a mentor to individual students to enhance their growth and success in school.” Also honored Thursday were the PIMCO Foundation, which is the charitable arm of the international money management firm, PIMCO; Bill and Robyn Brawley of The Young Americans; and Barry Ackerman, co-founder of the Orange County Children’s Book Festival.