Santana’s Brooke Crocker Named 2016-17 San Diego County Teacher of the Year
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| Brooke Crocker (Right) with 2016-17 San Diego County Teachers of the Year |
Santana High School Teacher Brooke Crocker was one of five local educators who were named San Diego County Teachers of the Year during the 26th annual “Cox Presents: A Salute to Teachers,” sponsored by San Diego County Credit Union (SDCCU) in partnership with the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE). The annual event honors San Diego County’s public school teachers and was televised live on Channel 4 San Diego from the Balboa Theatre in downtown San Diego.
Brooke Crocker teaches AP U.S. history, U.S. history, and honors geography to 9th- and 11th-grade students at Santana High School. She began teaching at Santana in 1994. She is very involved at Santana as AP/GATE Coordinator, US History PLC Leader, and Varsity Academic League Coach. She received the Varsity Academic League Coach of the Year award seven times and was a Golden Apple Award winner in 2007.
A total of 43 teachers were nominated for the 2016-17 County Teacher of the Year honor from among the 26,000 public school teachers in the region, and the field was narrowed to ten finalists. The finalists were selected based on student achievement, professional development and community involvement, teaching philosophy, knowledge of current issues in education, promotion and development of the teaching profession, accountability, and ability to serve as ambassadors of education. The five teachers of the year will represent San Diego County in the California Teacher of the Year program. The state winners will be announced later this year.
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| Dr. Jeffers and his wife Artielia at the VIP Reception |
The County Teacher of the Year honor also includes the selection of five finalists and Dr. Mark Jeffers of Mount Miguel High School was awarded this high honor. Brooke Crocker and Dr. Jeffers represent the very best we offer to students each and every day in GUHSD. We are proud of them and their steadfast commitment to our students.
El Cajon Valley Remembers Victims at 9/11 Memorial Ceremony
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| El Cajon Valley Link Crew |
A 9/11 Memorial Ceremony was held at El Cajon's Centennial Plaza last Sunday. Interns from Senator Joel Anderson's office placed 2,977 miniature American flags in the plaza by El Cajon City Hall, with each flag representing a life lost on 9/11.
El Cajon Valley Link Crew students Haneen Qaryaqoos and Lydya Shawka both bravely spoke at the event and shared what 9/11 meant to them and their families as refugees. Afterward a women came up to the group in tears and hugged them both while saying how glad she is they are here and safe now.
Link Crew members assisted with tying “in memory of” yellow ribbons around the small flags after the ceremony. They assisted with the clean up after the event and spoke with local firefighters and police officers. Senator Anderson’s office has requested that El Cajon Valley students participate and speak at the event next year as well.
Participation in the 9/11 Memorial Ceremony by El Cajon Valley students and staff is a powerful example of the positive connections being built between our schools and the broader community.
Jeni Mendel Receives Life Changer Award
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| L: Dr. Glover, Jeni Mendel, Lucia Washburn, and Bob Mueller (SDCOE) |
On Friday, September 9, I was pleased to participate in the Annual Summit on Student Engagement and Attendance where GUHSD's Jeni Mendel was honored with the prestigious Life Changer Award.
Ms. Mendel provides crucial support to students as our Coordinator of Child Welfare and Attendance, as well as in her capacity as our Liaison for Foster, Homeless and Military Youth. Jeni was selected for this high honor in acknowledgement of her unwavering support and commitment to the youth and families of San Diego County.
Recognition of Monte Vista & District Staff for Heroism in Saving the Life of a Student
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| Governing Board Recognition of Staff & First Responders |
At the Governing Board Meeting on September 8, we recognized the heroic acts of several staff members at Monte Vista High School whose quick actions ultimately saved the life of a student. When a student collapsed walking across campus and required immediate medical intervention, trained staff sprung into action, providing CPR and using the site's AED unit until the paramedics arrived to take over care of the student.
Special Education Aide Carmen Gray, Dropout Prevention Specialist Ron Carper, substitute LVN Macy Heiderich, and Assistant Principal Bill Sullivan were commended for their heroism. Representatives from San Diego Project Heart Beat, Cardiac Science Corporation, AMR Ambulance and participating Fire and Transport Paramedics were present for the recognition.
We later learned that the report from the AED unit indicated that the staff's actions saved the student's life. Even though they were providing CPR, the shock from the AED is what re-started the student's heart. It was a joy to honor the staff members whose reward is knowing they truly made all the difference in this young man's life.
El Capitan FFA Chapter Participates in Leadership Camp-Out
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| El Capitan FFA Attends Leadership Camp-Out |
This past weekend, Chapter Officers from El Capitan High School's FFA Chapter attended the San Diego Section FFA Leadership Camp-Out at El Prado campground in Mount Laguna. This Olympic-themed camp-out inspired San Diego members to "Go for Gold!" and to make the most of this year and to live up to their chapter's full potential.
Participating El Capitan FFA Chapter students learned new skills and gathered new ideas to bring back to their local chapter and community. Students learned how to successfully publicize FFA events, received tips on public speaking and how to run a meeting according to parliamentary procedure. They also learned the importance of community service and how their chapter can positively affect the lives of others. Best wishes to our talented students in achieving their goals!
Please Support PTA!
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| Dr. Glover Addressed PTSA/DAC Members at their September Meeting |
Parents, if you are not a member of your school PTSA (Parent Teacher Student Association), I encourage you to get involved. Parent involvement and dedication is making a difference at our high schools.
PTSAs work with schools to engage and involve parents and help implement programs that support the safety, well-being, and achievement of all students on campus. By joining PTSA, you're helping to do great things for students at your school.
If you have not already joined or supported your school’s PTSA, I encourage you to do so today by accessing this form.
My thanks to the extensive Foothills Council PTSA network of parents and community members who are working to improve the educational experience and well-being of all our students.
Dr. Tim Glover
Superintendent
