Three selected as Fallbook's Finest by FUHSD

Rick Monroe

Special to the Village News

Two teachers and an administrator were recognized as Fallbrook's Finest at the March 28 board meeting of the Fallbrook Union High School District. Superintendent Ilsa Garza-Gonzalez announced the March staff awards to Omar Muro, math teacher at Fallbrook High School; Jon Nellis, science teacher at Ivy High School; and Emily Toone, district director of curriculum, instruction and English language learner.

The superintendent said Muro is often helping out around the school and offering assistance to other teachers.

"Omar works closely with his math colleagues during DRS to discuss student achievement and share practices that could result in improved achievement for all students," she said. "He actively engages with students to seek out ways to best serve them.

As a teacher on special assignment to the Multi-Tiered System of Supports, Muro works to develop a tiered intervention approach that addresses academics, behavior and social emotional well-being, Garza-Gonzalez said.

The superintendent also spoke highly of Nellis.

"Jon is a determined teacher who gets to know his students and pushes them to learn all they can about chemistry every day at Ivy High School," she said. 'His 'can do' mindset at Ivy has been instrumental in bringing the A-G requirement of chemistry to the students."

Garza-Gonzalez said that in his first year at Ivy, Nellis has worked with the teachers and the administrators to promote a college and career readiness mindset to provide Ivy graduates the same opportunities available to students of Fallbrook High School.

"Ms. Toone wears many hats at Fallbrook," the superintendent said. "Most recently, she has added filling in for a class that no longer had a teacher. Not only did she teach the English Language Development class while a teacher was hired, but she decorated the classroom to give students a sense of ownership and belonging."

She said Toone has been busy engaging stakeholders on the LCAP, overseeing ELPAC, and leading discussions regarding the late start schedule, block scheduling, and textbook adoption.

"We are all convinced that Emily has an identical twin because it seems impossible for any one person to do all that she does and to do it with a smile," Garza-Gonzalez said. "She Is a champion for FUHSD , and always has its best interests in mind. FUHSD is lucky to have her.