ENCINITAS — An Earl Warren Middle School Teacher will represent San Dieguito Unified High School District at the San Diego County Teacher of the Year competition.
Deb Cruse, a district reading specialist and part of the district’s “Read 180” program, was selected from the group of teachers selected as teacher of the year from the district’s nine school sites.
Read 180 is an intervention program aimed at helping students “do a 180” in their reading progress by accelerating reading levels and test scores of struggling students in Grades 4 through 12.
Cruse has worked for the district since 2002.
Her students say she is more than a teacher. They describe her as a “success coach,” because she is constantly monitoring their grades and success and is passionate about their continued growth and improvement in areas not limited to reading.
Cruse’s fellow teachers said she is extremely dedicated and an inspiration to fellow educators.
The school district also named Diane Fisher, an administrative assistant at Canyon Crest Academy, as the district-wide classified employee of the year.
Fisher serves as a student mentor, coordinates efforts of the school’s sunshine club and participates in all student events.
“Ms. Fisher fosters a positive school climate and supportive culture,” the district wrote in a news release. “Her Canyon Crest family states they can’t imagine CCA without Ms. Fisher.”
