Congratulations to our
2008 Nominees!

Administrator of Year Nominees

Cameron Curry
Chief Business Officer for Coastal Academy & The Classical Academies, INC. ,Charter Schools
Years of Service: 10
Mr. Curry has a heart for students and enhances opportunities for them to thrive. He has improved facilities and accommodations for families and staff. Mr. Curry has also attracted and retained the highest quality of employees possible and provided increased benefits to teachers. Overseeing textbook adoption and premium field trips, Mr. Curry believes in quality, personalized learning through an exemplary independent study program reflecting the motto of our school, “Partnering with parents for quality education”. Words to describe him are: the ability to listen; strives for improvement; a key leader; enthusiastic; passion for personalized learning; an “over and above” kind of a guy; tireless; a visionary.

 

Dan Daris ***2008 Winner***
Principal El Camino High School
Years of Service: 25
Principal Daris has a vision to focus on learning for students, teachers, administrators, and support staff. He walks through all classrooms on a weekly basis demonstrating to the students and staff the importance of learning. A parent of two El Camino High School students, Principal Daris regularly partners with parents for student success. Fellow administrators report that Dan believed in them before they believed in themselves. He encouraged them to think like leaders. Words to describe him are: leadership; positive attitude; not afraid to challenge students; provides support for all learners; attends most extracurricular activities; high expectation for students; passionate; honest; realistic; consistent; active in the community; sincere.
 

Luis Ibarra
Associate Superintendent of Human Resources
Years of Service: 4
Luis looks at the “big picture” and focuses on how students are impacted. His professional approach supports all students. He is about supporting the tough decisions that directly impact students lives. Keeping the Professional Growth System working to its full integrity, Luis carries his office with assurance and professionalism. He exemplifies what is above and beyond. For two years he has been the “Mission Impossible” of boundary changes, mid-year budget cuts, Pl involuntary transfer, teacher lay offs—all while completing his Doctorate program! Superman could not do as much. Luis Ibarra works from his heart but holds to the standard he knows will benefit all students in Oceanside.

Teacher of the Year Nominees

Susan Acosta
3rd Grade Teacher, Palmquist Elementary
Years of Service: 16
Susan is a very special GATE trained teacher who is not only dedicated to the learning of all of her students, but for all children across all grade levels. Her spirit is about bringing good to great. Dedicated long hours after school, she tutors, has a book club for students, and developed the first Kiwanis Kids Club at Palmquist. She always seeks the solution and energizes groups of teachers into action. Words to describe her include: involved with every activity; she is the “Little Engine That Could”; understands the need for leadership; gives 120% in everything she does.
 

Danielle Diaz
5th Grade Teacher, Coastal Academy Charter School
Total Years of Service: 6
Taking her students to middle school camp each year, Danielle is known as the “Sunshine Gal” of Coastal Academy. She believes each year she has the best group of students she has ever had. She “buddies” her 5th grade students with kindergartners for reading activities. Constantly meeting with parents, Danielle makes certain they are informed of their child’s progress. Danielle is a master at organizing content and providing a successful and nurturing environment for her students. Words to describe her are: brings a positive synergy throughout our entire school; always thinking ahead and preparing for her students; a magnet for others.

 

Jeff Furqueron ***2008 Winner***
5th Grade Math Teacher, Libby Elementary
Years of Service: 10
85% of Libby Elementary students are on free or reduced price lunch, and 75% have a home language other than English. Mr. Furqueron maintains high expectations of all his students, who happened to make the most gains on the California Standards Test of all the grade levels at Libby during the years he taught them. His test scores have been outstanding. He has been able to penetrate the poverty and language barriers and help students succeed. He started tutoring 28 students every day before school for one hour, four days each week. Using math card games, domino and math bingo, the students advanced—and had fun!

Matt Smith
Teacher Language Arts, Chavez Middle School
Years of Service: 13 +
Always having a smile on his face, Matt sets high standards for himself and his students. He is dedicated to making middle school a successful experience for those attending Chavez, and is incredibly organized and has excellent classroom management skills. He understands and respects middle school students, and embraces the challenge of teaching to a diverse student population. Words to describe him include: always gives parents written notes of progress for their students; excellent, professional, always prepared; his students have high compassion, good behavior, and come to school ready to learn; we are lucky to have him!

David Thompson
Teacher El Camino High School
Years of Service: 11
A district, much like a company, is only as good as the people who work there. For David, being a teacher isn’t a job; it’s a calling. Approaching each assignment with positive enthusiasm and hard work, he refuses to accept failure, and is constantly working to find the best way to make the curriculum accessible to all students. He positively impacts student learning and achievement, and absolutely believes that all students can learn. Words to describe him include: an expert at recognizing student differences and learning styles; constantly communicating with parents; treats school as partnership with students, parents, and teachers.
 

Rebecca Vogel
5th Grade Teacher, Nichols Elementary
Years of Service: 8
Mrs. Vogel grants her students the honor of high expectations and telling each one she knows how absolutely capable they are. Celebrating their successes, passions and enthusiasms, she pushes students to do their best. She exemplifies the educational and social values of Nichols. Giving full energy to her class, she provides esteem-building encouragement. She started a Books and Bagels reading program, and commandeered school wide recycling. When asked by two students how they could help victims of Hurricane Katrina she helped them launch a Red Cross school collection of $570. Words to describer her are: fantastic; humorous; positive; professional; purposeful; a student advocate.
 

Sue Wilson
4th Grade Teacher, Reynolds Elementary
Total Years of Service: 25
Mrs. Wilson positively impacts student learning through nurturing students academically and emotionally. When one of her students developed a rare liver disease, and gained weight as a result of medication, Mrs. Wilson ensured that students were educated about the liver disease and the impact of the medication so the particular student was not teased and was able to leave the 4th grade a stronger and more confident person. Words to describe her include: positive morale builder; invaluable; integral to our school and district; proud to call her teacher, mentor, and role model; child advocate; gifted; instills confidence; students feel and become a family.

Elizabeth Wing
School-Based Resource/Intervention Teacher, Stuart Mesa Elementary School
Total Years of Service: 18
Students come to Mrs. Wing’s intervention groups with enthusiasm and a new found joy as they discover the wonders of reading. She is referred to as “Liz the Wiz” by her colleagues, and has a proactive stance and dogged determination that every child succeed. Mrs. Wing values what parent support means in the academic success of children. Parents trust her judgment, respect her expertise, and respond to their guidance. She is described as “a happy breath of fresh air, even in times of stress”. Other words used to describe her are: joyful; ca-do attitude; makes the workplace enjoyable; productive; delightful; magical; tireless.

Outstanding Employee of the Year Nominees

Michelle Acosta
Library Technician, Libby Elementary
Years of Service: 10
Ms. Acosta is an outstanding Library Technician who has consistently gone above and beyond her job description to provide a library which welcomes students, parents, and staff to come in and be part of a wonderful community. Inspiring and mentoring her students each day, there is always a line to get into the library because students enjoy talking with Michelle. She assists them in researching on the internet and in finding print resources for their studies. Words to describe her include: provides a welcoming environment; draws students in with her storytelling skills; dresses in costumes of characters in books; provides encouragement; supports co-workers; photographs everything; fun!

Sharrie Allen
Instructional Assistant/Resource Aide, Chavez Middle School
Years of Service: 12+
Sharrie always shows students the positive and beautiful side of life! She sees herself as a partner in education, and that she is a valuable and important person in each child’s life. All of the students love her very much, and come in happy and ready to learn. Words to describe her are: wonderful to work with; takes the initiative; excellent professional; caring; always a team player; popular with staff; documented increase in Algebra test score by her groups; she can do everything—run offices, teach classes in all subjects, and run extra-curricular activities; she is the best of the best!

Cherry Daniel
Response To Intervention Lab Technician, Palmquist Elementary School
Years of Service: 20
Cherry’s dedication to her school, students and community is outstanding. She continues to move forward into uncharted waters to help all students be the best that they can be. She set up a computer lab which charted the success of many students. All students increased their reading levels, at remarkable levels. Words to describe her are: always smiling; cheerful; champions every child to success; always willing to help; enormous patience and determination; a vital part of staff; our photographer; intense passion and purpose; knows every student by name; the “coach” with a heart of gold.

Judy Dillon
Secretary, El Camino High School
Years of Service: 13 ½
Judy is the secretary for three assistant principals and one Teacher on Special Assignments. Each of them has their own projects plus student discipline every day. She is the first person who arrives at the assistant principal’s office in the morning and doesn’t leave until things are in order for the next day. She has impeccable organizational skills, pays attention to details, is efficient and professional. Words to describe her are: pays attention to details; works diligently; respectful of students; positive; kind; truly a professional; non-judgmental; acts as a stabilizing force for students in need and under stress; a team player; always ready to help.
 

Colette Leyva
School Community Advisor, Nichols Elementary School
Years of Service: 4
Always gracious and polite, even under stressful conditions, Colette is a pleasure to have as a “front line” person representing Nichols! An amazing asset and an outstanding interpreter for Spanish speaking parents and students she does more than just translate. Collette relays a warm connection with our families resulting in outstanding community outreach. Colette is a highly skilled communicator in both English and Spanish, and is an indispensable member of our staff. Words to describe her are: professional; builds connections; always interacts with poise and class; skilled; grace under pressure; fantastic personality; efficient; organized; always conveys to parents and students the heart of the message: the importance of education.


Debbie Montijo ***2008 Winner***
Administrative Assistant, King Middle School
Years of Service: 10
On a scale of 1 to 10, Debbie is a 20. Her skills are phenomenal! Everything Debbie does is done extremely well. Her professionalism, commitment, and quality of work are beyond reproach. With a positive attitude, Debbie is always cheerful and helpful, and sets the tone for the entire school. She goes above and beyond all job expectations. Parents continually seek her out for information, assistance, and support. She attends after school and evening events and is dedicated to making a difference for students. Words to describe her are: strives for excellence; loyal; knowledgeable; an irreplaceable resource; respected and admired; top of the “go to” list for the entire staff; terrific sense of humor!


Linda Reyna
SMART Program Tutor, Stuart Mesa Elementary School
Years of Service: 11
Linda is always positive and helpful to staff and students in her reading intervention groups. She sees the best in students in any situation, rewarding them with positive feedback, praise, and tangible rewards. Committed to the SMART Program and helping Stuart Mesa students improve their reading skills, she has opted not to take higher paying positions in the district. Students LOVE Linda’s groups, and their self confidence is always increased after working with her. Words to describe her are: professional; helpful rapport with staff and parents; provides a welcoming positive place for learning; highly organized; sets clear boundaries and behavioral expectations; team player; flexible; hard working; trusted; goes above and beyond; jumps in and volunteers; we all love her dearly!
 

Kathi Coleman
Registrar, Coastal Academy
Years of Service: 3
Kathi is a friendly face in the morning with a sunny disposition that brightens everyone’s day. She positively impacts our program by greeting children, parents, and staff members by name. Kathi maintains a positive attitude and stays calm under the fast-paced pressure of an elementary school front office. Extremely efficient in registering students, keeping track of families, and serving as our State and local testing facilitator, words to describe her are: “I can do it” attitude; inspires all to achieve; a life line for parents, students, teachers; a “wiz” at student data; gentle; effective; enthusiastic; organized; a gem in the Coastal crown of success.

All Nominee Photos Courtesy of Steven Traugh

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