Kentwood High teacher Jay Maebori keeps racking up the awards as he was named the Washington state Teacher of the Year on Monday by the state office for public instruction.

Maebori, a language arts teacher, earlier this year won both local and regional teacher of the year awards to be considered for the state honor. He was one of 10 candidates.

Randy Dorn, state superintendent of public schools, recognized the regional winners at a ceremony Monday afternoon at the Experience Music Project in Seattle.

“Jay and all the teachers of the year are energizing classrooms and buildings around the state with creative solutions and expert techniques,” Dorn said in a release.

Once upon a time, Maebori was a sports writer, but he has taught sophomores at Kentwood since 2001 and is a National Board Certified teacher.

He teaches in what is described as a “blended honors classroom where honors, English-language learners, special education and core students all partake of a rigorous and scholarly curriculum,” according to information provided by OSPI.

In addition, Maebori teaches the school’s intervention courses which are offered to students who are struggling to meet state standards on mandated assessments, with 80 percent of his students going on to pass the state tests.

He is described as making the subjects he teachers relevant through comparisons to music and movies as well as a teacher who works well with his colleagues and parents.

Joe Potts, who worked with Maebori at Kentwood as an assistant principal and now heads up Kentlake High, had high praise for the teacher of the year during the nomination process.

““He has a track record of success and his level of ‘grit,’ defined here as perseverance and passion for long-term goals, is unparalleled in our school,” Potts said. “What makes a great teacher? Ask his students or observe Jay Maebori teach; either way, you’ll know the answer.”

Maebori will be considered for national Teacher of the Year, which is awarded by the Council of Chief State School Officers. President Obama will announce the winner in a special ceremony at the White House in the spring.

As the Washington Teacher of the Year, Maebori will serve as an ambassador for the teaching profession in 2010–11 while maintaining his duties at Kentwood High School.

The award was selected by a two former state teachers of the year and representatives from the following organizations: the Washington Association of School Administrators; Washington Education Association; Washington State Board of Education; Washington State Parent Teacher Association; the Office of the Governor; the Professional Educator Standards Board; and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.