When it comes to educating California children, it’s hard to match the dedication of two CSULB alumni who were honored this year as the state’s top teacher and elementary principal.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell named Denis Cruz, the literacy coach at Katherine Edwards Middle School in the Whittier City Elementary School District, as one of five California Teachers of the Year for 2006 and the state’s nominee for National Teacher of the Year. President and Mrs. Bush paid tribute to the honorees at an April White House ceremony.

Cruz’ road to recognition began at CSULB with a B.A. in liberal studies in 1979, his California Multiple Subject Credential in 1981 and his Single Subject Supplemental in English Language Arts in 2004.

“I am thrilled to be a part of this profession and I feel honored to be recognized as a Teacher of the Year,” said Cruz, a Fullerton resident. “With so many outstanding teachers in the state, to be named a teacher of quality has been a humbling experience.”

Cruz works with sixth through eighth grade language arts teachers by giving demonstration lessons, coaching teachers and leading grade level meetings. He also helped establish district benchmarks in reading and writing, and created a school-wide program to reinforce skills such as integrity, anger management and perseverance.

Literacy coaches are as necessary to schools as their counterparts in sports, Cruz believes. “The private sector understands the value of coaching and incorporates coaching in order to achieve success. Phil Jackson was paid millions of dollars to coach the Lakers to success. He works with talented players on a daily basis to help them realize their potential and become a winning team,” he said. “We, as educators, also need coaches to observe and analyze our teaching practices so that we can grow and reach our true potential.”

He feels he is having an impact. “Since our district adopted the role of coach, we have seen growth in test scores and teaching practices,” he noted. “I have worked with dozens of teachers and we have created a positive, professional climate that benefits all our students.

“CSULB prepared me for what I do today,” he continued. “The foundation of my educational journey started at CSULB and for that I am grateful.” 

Whether he’s serving as principal of Pacific Rim Elementary School in San Diego County’s Carlsbad Unified School District or earning his second-degree black belt in karate, Stephen Ahle attacks a problem until he’s solved it.

His leadership earned him the 2006 California National Distinguished Principal award from the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the U.S. Department of Education, which recognized winners at a banquet this October in Washington, D.C.

“I was honored to be named a distinguished principal,” said Ahle, who received his B.A. in 1975 and his M.A in physical education in 1978 and was a 49er volleyball team member. “CSULB had a lot to do with that. I had great experiences at CSULB, as did four of my brothers and many great friends.” Ahle began his administrative career in the Capistrano Unified School District in 1980 and has served as Pacific Rim’s principal since it’s opening in 1999.

Ahle has a simple but effective philosophy as a principal. “I seem to spend a lot of time giving away credit and avoiding blame,” he laughed. “I give away credit by staying in touch with my fellow educators, and I avoid blame by making sure there is always a plan. When teachers ask me if they can do something, I usually say go ahead as long as it has minimal or no cost and it isn’t illegal.”

The role of the modern principal has evolved from educational to administrative with the volume of paperwork required these days. “Today’s principal shares responsibility,” he said. “Administrators, staff and faculty are all responsible for what goes on in the modern classroom. I try to encourage a team effort. When I was named teacher of the year in San Clemente, I learned that I was only as good as the people I worked with and that we all did a better job when we worked together.”

As for that black belt, Ahle earned his second degree while serving as a volunteer instructor at North County Martial Arts, and hopes to move up to a third degree when he turns 55. “It gives me a goal,” he said.

He compares the role of today’s principal to the adventures of the Vikings. “If you have 45 guys rowing and one guy is not, the ship goes off course,” he said. “My job is to stand at the tiller and keep the ship on course. I can help my teachers best by keeping the ship sailing at top speed and not zigzagging all over the ocean, as well as directing the one not keeping up with the others.”

— Richard Manly