May 7, 1998

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Trost) RE:  DISTRICT TEACHERS OF THE YEAR RECOGNIZED AT SPECIAL BOARD MEETING An elementary teacher with 29 years of experience, a high school teacher who combines academic skills with school-to-work training and a middle level science teacher were selected San Diego City Schools Teachers of the Year today. Lynda Elliott from Sandburg Elementary currently teaches a combination class with first and second grade students.  She is described as a “giver” who shares her materials, ideas and strategies with new and veteran teachers.  Her classroom is child-centered and balances teacher instruction with independent learning. Elliott said she believes that when children learn the necessary skills for literacy, how to think critically, solve problems and work together collaboratively, they can learning anything they want to learn and do anything they want to do.  Her award was presented by Jean Small, elementary teacher of the year for 1997-98 and Superintendent Bertha Pendleton. The high school teacher of the year is Glenn Hillegas from Scripps Ranch High School.  His recipe for successful teaching combines one part respect, understanding and compassion for the student; one part developing success, confidence and self-esteem; one part relevant and connected instruction with rigorous standards and accountability, and three parts teacher’s positive energy and outlook. Hillegas teaches ROP (Regional Occupational Program) courses and is well-known and respected for the classes he teaches in carpentry skills that include the annual construction of a portable classroom right on the Scripps Ranch High School site.  Hillegas received his award from Brady Kelso, last year’s high school teacher of the year, who also teaches at Scripps Ranch. Presentation of the middle level teacher of the year award was marred by the death Tuesday night of the recipient, Dorothy Bruntz, a science teacher at San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts.  Bruntz was a 35-year veteran teacher who taught third, fourth, fifth and sixth grades at various elementary schools in the district before she took an assignment as a science teacher at SCPA in 1991-92. Fellow SCPA teacher Jeanie Wolf, herself a former elementary teacher of the year, accepted the award in Bruntz’s memory.  The presentation was made by last year’s recipient, Robin Dime from Twain. Bruntz wrote in her nomination paper: “I love a challenge!  Give me a complex concept and I will try to explain it or demonstrate it in simple terms for my students; give me the students who are out of control in other settings, and I will try to connect with their souls; give me the non-readers, and I guarantee they will not leave my room in the same condition in which they came.” SCPA principal Bob Saunders said “Once in a lifetime you have the privilege of working with a teacher like Dorothy Bruntz.” The three honorees will be considered for San Diego County Teacher of the Year designation.