If you'd like a smile, borne of both amusement and hope, try checking out the website of Escondido teacher Alex Kajitani, who was named today as one of four finalists for the presitgious national Teacher of the Year Award.

Kajitani's website offers a few samples of his work (a complete curriculum set is available for educators to purchase). The samples are definitely worth a listen. Try "The Itty-bitty Dot" or "Test Tiiiime!"

Kajitani, one of five California Teachers of the Year, was nominated for the award by Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell.