Education is a people-driven business. By educating students, America's teachers shape tomorrow's scientists, artists, entrepreneurs, doctors, business leaders, and more. In Carlsbad, teachers give students the knowledge and tools to follow their dreams. They make students wonder, think, and question. They show the community what achievement means. Nearly every successful adult can point to the influence of a teacher who was instrumental in their development and accomplishments.
Any effort to brighten the future for students must be built upon an appreciation for the important work of teachers. Every year each school selects a teacher who exemplifies the inspiring Carlsbad Unified teacher. Then, through a process of observation and interviews by CUSD's selection panel, one extraordinary teacher is named "Teacher of the Year" for CUSD.
Maria Teran-Cruz was named Teacher of the Year for 2013-14. Cruz, a fourth grade teacher who has been at Jefferson Elementary School for 16 years, is an exemplary professional. She was a Nicaraguan immigrant who didn't speak any English when she arrived in this country at age 18, but she worked hard to overcome significant challenges. She enrolled in English classes, and her mother gave her an English dictionary that she kept under her pillow and studied nightly. She even practiced English in her bathroom mirror. Six months later, she enrolled in classes at the local community college and was on her way. She was determined to make learning a priority.
Cruz has a passion for teaching. Being a second language learner herself, she is a strong role model for students, and she encourages them to work hard if they want to succeed. She spends a great deal of time planning her curriculum, and her classroom is meticulous and conducive to learning. She even teaches Dance PE, with rousing Latin beats, to the entire school as part of the Motion Program at her school.
"Mrs. Cruz is a wonderful person with a positive attitude and a contagious smile," states Jefferson Elementary's principal Chad Lund. "She is an asset to Jefferson and truly worthy of this honor."
CUSD congratulates the teachers who were selected as their school's Teacher of the Year.
It is an honor to announce Mrs. Cruz as CUSD's Teacher of the Year. Cruz exemplifies the exceptional teaching staff in Carlsbad Unified. Without great teachers we wouldn't have great schools. We congratulate her and all of the teachers who were selected to represent their schools as Teachers of the Year.
Robert Brown
Aviara Oaks Elementary School
Ashley Crawford
Aviara Oaks Middle School
Ana Larios
Buena Vista Elementary School
Bob Burns
Calavera Hills Elementary School
Chad Mitchell
Calavera Hills Middle School
JB Feaster
Carlsbad High School
Holly Hill
Hope Elementary School
Maria Teran-Cruz
Jefferson Elementary School
Gabie Norton
Kelly Elementary School
Gretchen Mays
Magnolia Elementary School
Ashley Rossiter
Pacific Rim Elementary School
Ellie Restivo
Poinsettia Elementary School
Valerie Park
Sage Creek High School
Beth Thomason
Valley Middle School
From this group, the following three teachers were selected as finalists:
Maria Teran-Cruz
Gabie Norton
Valerie Park
The Teacher of the Year is:
Maria Teran-Cruz
Any effort to brighten the future for students must be built upon an appreciation for the important work of teachers. Every year each school selects a teacher who exemplifies the inspiring Carlsbad Unified teacher. Then, through a process of observation and interviews by CUSD's selection panel, one extraordinary teacher is named "Teacher of the Year" for CUSD.
Maria Teran-Cruz was named Teacher of the Year for 2013-14. Cruz, a fourth grade teacher who has been at Jefferson Elementary School for 16 years, is an exemplary professional. She was a Nicaraguan immigrant who didn't speak any English when she arrived in this country at age 18, but she worked hard to overcome significant challenges. She enrolled in English classes, and her mother gave her an English dictionary that she kept under her pillow and studied nightly. She even practiced English in her bathroom mirror. Six months later, she enrolled in classes at the local community college and was on her way. She was determined to make learning a priority.
Cruz has a passion for teaching. Being a second language learner herself, she is a strong role model for students, and she encourages them to work hard if they want to succeed. She spends a great deal of time planning her curriculum, and her classroom is meticulous and conducive to learning. She even teaches Dance PE, with rousing Latin beats, to the entire school as part of the Motion Program at her school.
"Mrs. Cruz is a wonderful person with a positive attitude and a contagious smile," states Jefferson Elementary's principal Chad Lund. "She is an asset to Jefferson and truly worthy of this honor."
CUSD congratulates the teachers who were selected as their school's Teacher of the Year.
It is an honor to announce Mrs. Cruz as CUSD's Teacher of the Year. Cruz exemplifies the exceptional teaching staff in Carlsbad Unified. Without great teachers we wouldn't have great schools. We congratulate her and all of the teachers who were selected to represent their schools as Teachers of the Year.
Robert Brown
Aviara Oaks Elementary School
Ashley Crawford
Aviara Oaks Middle School
Ana Larios
Buena Vista Elementary School
Bob Burns
Calavera Hills Elementary School
Chad Mitchell
Calavera Hills Middle School
JB Feaster
Carlsbad High School
Holly Hill
Hope Elementary School
Maria Teran-Cruz
Jefferson Elementary School
Gabie Norton
Kelly Elementary School
Gretchen Mays
Magnolia Elementary School
Ashley Rossiter
Pacific Rim Elementary School
Ellie Restivo
Poinsettia Elementary School
Valerie Park
Sage Creek High School
Beth Thomason
Valley Middle School
From this group, the following three teachers were selected as finalists:
Maria Teran-Cruz
Gabie Norton
Valerie Park
The Teacher of the Year is:
Maria Teran-Cruz