Poway Unified Announces 2023 'PUSD Teachers of the Year'

(San Diego, CA) – The Poway Unified School District (PUSD) is proud to announce that Carrie Jennings,
3rd Grade Teacher at Monterey Ridge Elementary School; Christina Bass, 3rd Grade Teacher and ASB
Advisor at Painted Rock Elementary School; and Sanford Carvajal, ASB Advisor and Digital Media
Production Teacher at Mt. Carmel High School have been chosen as the PUSD Teachers of the Year for 2023. These teachers embody the PUSD culture and mission through their job performance, dedication to the community, and contributions to the District. Their names will be forwarded to the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE), which sponsors a countywide recognition program for teachers.

Carrie Jennings: 3rd Grade Teacher at Monterey Ridge Elementary School

Carrie has been a teacher for 16 years, half of which she has spent with PUSD. She believes her greatest accomplishment is the impact she has been able to have on students and their families, through trust, rapport, and the strong bonds made in her classroom. In her classroom, the motto is “This is important, you can do this, we will not give up on you” which resonates with students and families alike. Through this mindset and her intentionality, Carrie has created a classroom community and family atmosphere where each student feels unique, valued, and celebrated.

The focus on students as individuals translates into Carrie’s teaching as well. Students are provided with a voice and choice in their learning as Carrie provides multiple pathways for students based on learning styles, strengths, and interests. For example, she might provide a video option for visual learners, a podcast for auditory learners and a reading passage for those who learn best by reading. As a result of this, students are more engaged in their learning. Carrie believes that teaching is the utmost honor and takes the shaping of young minds and hearts that happens in her classroom very seriously.

Christina Bass, 3rd Grade Teacher and ASB Advisor, Painted Rock Elementary School

Christina has spent all but one of her 10 years of teaching in Poway Unified and is guided by the belief that teaching and learning takes a village, with students at the center. She believes that while she has impacted her students, and her students have equally impacted her to become a better educator and learner.

At Painted Rock, Christina is creating community and developing a student legacy both on and off campus. As the advisor for to the Student Council, she spearheaded the 5th grade legacy murals on campus where students can leave their lasting mark with a beautiful mural. She and her students also built a butterfly garden on campus that provides an outside learning environment for all students to enjoy. Off campus, Christina is fostering important connections for students by partnering with PUSD high schools to provide a ‘Panther Section’ at sporting events to develop team spirit and pride. Christina is passionate about connecting students to the larger community and encourages students to make an impact in whatever they do.

Sanford Carvajal, ASB Advisor and Digital Media Production Teacher, Mt. Carmel High School

Sanford is known throughout Mt. Carmel for his dedication and empowerment of students in all that he does. His impact on culture and connection at the school is unmatched and the influence he has had as a teacher, coach, and ASB Director goes far beyond the classroom.

Throughout his 17 years in Poway Unified, Sanford has developed a knack for knowing how to find creative ways to engage students in their learning and leadership. The Mt. Carmel Red Sea Student Section is award-winning, thanks in large part to his development of student leaders. Not only is he an ASB Advisor, but he also oversees No Place for Hate, eSports, and Link Crew.

Sanford is committed to developing others in the community as well. He is a regular presenter at the California Association of Directors of Activities where he shares his best practices and ideas with hundreds of others. Sanford believes he has one of the best jobs in the world because he gets to help students grow up and grow into their natural abilities.

2023 Poway Unified School Site Teachers of the Year

Congratulations to all of our site Teachers of the Year who represent the best of #TeamPUSD:

Alternative Programs	Alfredo Hernandez
Abraxas High School	Amy Costello
Adobe Bluffs Elementary School	Kerrie Shank
Bernardo Heights Middle School	Meera Navarro
Black Mountain Middle School	Kayleigh Slavin
Canyon View Elementary School	Entire Teaching Staff
Career Technical & Adult Education	Robert Lutticken
Chaparral Elementary School	Entire Teaching Staff
Connect Academy	Karen Rogers
Creekside Elementary School	Andrea Bilecz
Deer Canyon Elementary School	Entire Teaching Staff
Del Norte High School	Michael Buxton
Del Sur Elementary School	Lynn Lorimer
Garden Road Elementary School	Alicia Seay
Highland Ranch Elementary School	Heather Levchenko
Los Peñasquitos Elementary School	Dawn McVicker
Meadowbrook Middle School	Shelley Jessen
Mesa Verde Middle School	Shawn Tran
Midland Elementary School	Traica Dempsey
Monterey Ridge Elementary School	Carrie Jennings*
Morning Creek Elementary School	Debra Brennan
Mt. Carmel High School	Sanford Carvajal*
Oak Valley Middle School	Paula Hewett
Painted Rock Elementary School	Christina Bass*
Pomerado Elementary School	Jillian Rivaldi
Poway High School	Julianna Tovar
Rancho Bernardo High School	Jeff Carpenter
Rolling Hills Elementary School	Heather Noerr
Shoal Creek Elementary School	Haley Hernandez
Stone Ranch Elementary School	Shayna Grady
Sundance Elementary School	Sallie Koenig
Sunset Hills Elementary School	Laura Griffin
Tierra Bonita Elementary School	Anne Campbell
Turtleback Elementary School	Jennifer Bivin
Twin Peaks Middle School	Alison Shewmaker
Valley Elementary School	Saul Jimenez
Westview High School	Michael Kurth
Westwood Elementary School	Emily Medico
Willow Grove Elementary School	Corryn McCardell

*Indicates District Level Teacher of the Year