Ten South Bay teachers will be recognized for their commitment to teaching this Saturday at the 25th anniversary A Salute to Teachers hosted by Cox Communications.
A total of 44 nominees —including 10 teachers with ties to South Bay — were selected for Teacher of the Year by their respective districts. Of those, five will be named County Teacher of the Year.
San Diego Teacher of the Year candidates who live or work in the South Bay are: Andrea Cooke from Chula Vista who teaches at El Capitan High School in Lakeside, Katie Crosbie who teaches at Ira Harbison in National City and is from Linda Vista, Michelle Yepiz from Chula Vista and teaches at Zamorano Elementary in southeast San Diego, Cynthia Arredondo-Quintanar from Chula Vista who teaches at Willow Elementary in San Ysidro, Annalicia Guido from San Diego who teaches at Nestor Language Academy Charter in south San Diego, Laurie Baker Worthington from La Mesa who teaches at Hilltop Middle School, Blakeslee Detisch from Chula Vista who teaches at Montgomery Middle School in south San Diego, Diane Ince from Chula Vista who teaches at Castle Park Middle School, and Armando Leon from Chula Vista who teaches at Mar Vista Academy in Imperial Beach.
Detisch, 44, has taught seventh and eighth grade special education at Montgomery Middle School in the Sweetwater Union High School District for 17 years. She said her nomination for County Teacher of the Year would bring attention to special education students and their teachers.
“I’m a voice for students with disabilities, a voice for those who are bullied and a voice for special educators who aren’t always recognized for their hard work and dedication,” she said.
Detisch said she relates to her students because in third grade she was diagnosed with dyslexia and an auditory processing disability.
She said her teaching philosophy is that every student has the ability to learn.
“Every student can learn. You just have to find the right tool.”
This is Leon’s third year teaching history at Mar Vista Academy. Leon’s teaching philosophy is to set high goals for his students.
“I believe that every student can learn and that it is my job as an educator to help students believe the same about themselves,” he said. “I believe in having high expectations and making sure students have access to a rigorous education. However, I also believe that if I am to have high expectations I better provide my students with the tools and support to be successful.”
Leon, 37, previously taught at San Ysidro High School where he helped the school receive national attention for their Advancement Via Determination program and is a two-time recipient of the Lowe’s Toolbox for Education and Museum of Tolerance grants and a recipient of the Learning, Equity, Achievement and Reform grant. He also makes it his mission to learn as much as he can about his students and spends the first few days of each class on community building activities so students feel safe and valued.
The Sweetwater Union High School District has five teachers who will be recognized this weekend.
“These five teachers represent the excellence that we see in many of our teachers across the district,” said Sweetwater district Superintendent Karen Janney. “And I’m just so happy that they get to represent the other wonderful, high quality teachers that we have.”
Cox Communications remains committed to honoring teachers.
“Many people may not know that Cox Communications was founded by a teacher,” said Cox spokesperson Ceanne Guerra, who grew up in Chula Vista and has been part of the planning committee for Cox Presents: A Salute to Teachers for 16 years.
“James Cox left behind a legacy of supporting teachers and education that remains alive in our company today. This show is our way of helping to shine the spotlight on the incredible job teachers do every day for their students throughout San Diego County.”
