CRUZ, SUHSD Teacher of the Year 2024

 CRUZ, SUHSD Teacher of the Year 2024

ni Gng. Mendoza


March 13, 2024 | Rizalyn Cruz, Otay Ranch High School (ORHS) Teacher of the Year 2024 and widely known as “Ginang” by her students at ORHS, was selected as one of Sweetwater Union High School District’s  (SUHSD) Teacher of the Year 2024.


Prior to this, Gng. Cruz also received the prestigious California Language Teachers Association (CLTA) Outstanding Teacher Award in 2022.


Rizalyn, as she is fondly called by her friends, has long taken an active role in the World Language teachers’ professional organizations. She had been a teacher trainer for the Southern Area International Languages Network and one of the Board Members of the Foreign Language Council of San Diego (FLCSD) for a long time now.


She is also a Board Member of the Council for Teaching Language and Culture (CTFLC) and its immediate past President (2020-2022). She also plays the bandurria in the CTFLC Rondalla. Currently, she is the chairperson for the CTFLC Advocacy and Outreach Committee.


Gng. Cruz  teaches Filipino Language classes Levels 1-6 and Filipino 7-8 Honors at Otay Ranch High School. An indefatigable teacher, she is also the Advisor of  its Pangkat Sayaw and its Bayanihan Club.


Being a candidate for the district level Teacher of the Year Award was not easy.  Gng. Cruz explained “Hindi po madali. Sa district level, pito ang nag-interview sa akin na puro TOSA (Teacher on Special Assignment) at TOY (Teacher of the Year) plus two principals. Nang pumunta sa classroom ko, feeling ko lumiit ang space dahil ang dami nila and I have 42 students. How much more kaya sa San Diego County Teacher of the Year selection?”


Mr. Salvador Idos, retired teacher from Morse High School, mentioned that “to be considered an idol by your fellow teachers is, I think, the greatest of all the accolades bestowed on you. Someday when one of these young teachers will be honored, they will recall that they were inspired to have a role model whose name is Gng. Cruz.”


Ms. Blancaflor Villanueva, retired teacher from Sweetwater High School mentioned that Mrs. Cruz undertook a gigantic endeavor in order to achieve such a challenging task. “You’re truly an inspiration to many of us. Bravo👋🏻.”


Gng. Cruz, Congratulations. Good Luck to your next journey to being San Diego County Teacher of the Year 2024!






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