FUESD announces Teacher, Classified Employee of Year

FALLBROOK — The selection committee for Fallbrook Union Elementary School District’s Teacher of the Year and Classified Employee of the Year has announced that Elsa Grijalva and Patricia “Trish” Mueller will be this year’s honorees, to continue on to the county competition.

Grijalva is a sixth grade teacher currently assigned to La Paloma Elementary School. She has been a credentialed bilingual teacher with the district since 1985.

A graduate of San Diego State University and United States International University, Grijalva holds a Master of Arts degree in education. She has been commended repeatedly for her efforts to involve parents and has an exceptional reputation as a district leader in bilingual education.

Mueller is the San Onofre School’s administrative school secretary. Her job duties include taking care of administrative details, scheduling appointments and handling school communications.

The principals at San Onofre School have commended Mueller for her organizational skills and have described her as a “quick thinker” and a “problem solver.”

Mueller is a member of the Marine Corps family that the district serves. She has assisted the school in building connections with the military community and offers herself as a ready resource for San Onofre families.