Re: “Darla Pulliam, Pre-School Teacher of Year – Second Time” 

The Los Angeles Universal Preschool yesterday honored Darla Pulliam of Culver City as one of five Preschool Teacher of the Year award winners.

The countywide preschool teacher recognition acknowledges the quality, creativity and hard work of those who teach children during a time when, according to researchers, rapid brain development can be leveraged toward long-term academic achievement.

Ms. Pulliam currently holds a dual role with the Office of Child Development, a certificated teacher, and curriculum liaison.

Ms. Pulliam reviews and monitors the monthly curriculum lesson plans developed by teachers for all 17 classrooms, with program quality as centric. She has been a certificated teacher with the School District  since 1988

“I am fortunate to have unearthed my passion early in life,” Ms. Pulliam.

She credits her mother, a retired early childhood educator, as her sole mentor. “I wonder if it is fate that I was born into this family of teachers… yet I can only describe my connection to children as an innate passion. Teaching young children is what I am ordained to do,” says Ms. Pulliam.

Winners hail from each of Los Angeles County’s five supervisorial districts and are cited for providing excellent learning environments and classroom experiences for preschool children.

Ms. Pulliam represents the second supervisorial district of Mark Ridley-Thomas.

Recipients were recognized at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration with a luncheon and awards ceremony hosted by Universal Preschool and the County Board of Supervisors.

All of the award winners received a stipend, classroom supplies and an official County Proclamation from the Supervisors to commemorate their work and accomplishments.

Ms. Stoffel may be contacted at rstoffel@laup.net