January 1, 2013 > Cimino named Teacher of the Year Cimino named Teacher of the Year Submitted By MVROP Mission Valley is honored to present Auto Body Painting and Refinishing program instructor, Johnny Cimino, as the MVROP 2012 Teacher of the Year. This prestigious award is given each year by MVROP to recognize excellence in Career Technical Education instruction. Johnny was presented with his award at the October MVROP Governing Council meeting. Cimino strongly believes that instructors should lead by example, must work to add personal touches in the classroom, and help all students to become good citizens in the community. As a valuable member of the Mission Valley ROP teaching staff for twenty years, Johnny has been doing exactly this, by passing on his valuable industry experience to a diverse population of students. On a daily basis, you can find Johnny coming in early to work to open the shop, often working through lunch, and staying late four out of five days a week. If asked why he does this, Johnny would respond by stressing that it is important to show his students that a disciplined person works until the job is completed. He would go on with a shy smile, in his modest and sincere way to say, ÒI am proud of the work I do and I am honored to call myself a teacher. One of my greatest rewards throughout the day and year is seeing the smiles on studentsÕ faces, knowing that they feel good about what they have accomplished.Ó This in itself demonstrates the value of Career Technical Education, since Johnny Cimino at one time was a student in the very program that he instructs today. This connection to the program, the schoolÕs mission, and the personal experience from years of working within the Auto Body Painting and Refinishing industry continues to fill JohnnyÕs classes with a staggering consistency each and every year. We at Mission Valley ROP commend Johnny for making a difference in the lives of students in the Tri-City area.