Awards
Mt. Woodson Elementary has received several awards over the years for our school and our teachers. We are very proud of our school and our staff!
Reading Award of Merit 2016
10 months ago
Congratulations, Dr. Moreland!
Mt. Woodson's very own Dr. Adrienne Moreland, a veteran teacher leader, was awarded by Assistant SuperIntendent Theresa Grace with the Greater San Diego Reading Association 2016 Award of Merit! She was honored at a special luncheon on April 23rd at the Handlery Hotel. Throughout her 30+ years as a special education teacher in our district, Dr. Moreland has not only taught hundreds of students how to read, she has also taught numerous teachers how to teach reading and interventions for reading. We are so fortunate to work with such a knowledgeable and skilled professional. She is most deserving of this honor!
Twenty Years of Service 2018
10 months ago
Mt. Woodson celebrated our teammates who have been serving students for 20 years or more! The certificates were presented by Theresa Grace, Assistant Superintendent of the Ramona Unified School District. Thank you for your dedication and efforts to support our scholars for such a long time .
Left to Right: Alicia Stemm, Bonnie Welch, Peggy Powell, Adrienne Moreland, Paige Schwartz, Barbara Spain, Laura Peterson (Not pictured: Sharyn Farrow and David Rice)
Adrienne Moreland with Theresa Grace
Laura Peterson with Theresa Grace
Peggy Powell with Theresa Grace
Paige Schwartz with Theresa Grace
Barbara Spain with Theresa Grace
Alicia Stemm with Theresa Grace
Bonnie Welch with Theresa Grace
2014 Teacher of the Year
10 months ago
CONGRATULATIONS TO MATT FILSON: RUSD TEACHER OF THE YEAR!
Our own Matt Filson, sixth grade teacher, was voted as the Mt. Woodson Teacher of the Year for 2014. In addition, he was also selected by Ramona Unified School District as the district's Teacher of the Year for 2014! As posted on the district's website:
Serving as a classroom teacher in Ramona since 1996 and teaching at Mount Woodson Elementary School since 2000, Matt has been an extraordinary member of that school's faculty. Matt has taught multiple grade levels ranging from First Grade through Sixth Grade -- and is now part of an extraordinary 6th Grade team utilizing a one-on-one iPad implementation for each student. With a long record of raising student achievement levels in this Title I school, Matt is an outstanding representative of the teaching profession and truly models the very best of what every parent would want from their child's classroom teacher. Congratulations to Matt -- and "best wishes" in the next round of the countywide competition!!
2012 Teacher of the Year
10 months ago
Jennifer McSparran
County Teacher of the Year 2012
Mt. Woodson Elementary Teacher Jennifer McSparran, flanked by students Gissele Lopez, left, and Hope Burton on Monday morning, is a San Diego County Teacher of the Year. McSparran received her honor during “Salute to Teachers,” televised from Balboa Theatre in downtown San Diego on Saturday evening. Sentinel photo/Lynn Sampson
Jennifer McSparran, special education teacher at Mt. Woodson Elementary School, took center stage Saturday evening as one of five San Diego County Teachers of the Year.
McSparran, in her 12th year of teaching in Ramona Unified School District, received the honor during the televised “Salute to Teachers,” held in Balboa Theatre in downtown San Diego and presented by Cox Communications and the San Diego County Office of Education.
In an email to all district employees on Sunday, RUSD Superintendent Dr. Robert Graeff sent “a royal congratulations” to McSparran.
“Representing 26,000 teachers from San Diego County, Jennifer will spend the next year advocating for public education at a variety of important gatherings and move forward into the statewide—and perhaps national—competition of teachers in California,” Graeff said in his email.
“I’m so honored and proud to represent Mt. Woodson Elementary and think each teacher at Mt. Woodson could have
One of five County Teachers of the Year, Mt. Woodson Elementary special education teacher Jennifer McSparran, second from right, stands with the four other teachers honored Saturday evening. Photo/Dr. Robert Graeff
been on that stage Saturday evening,” McSparran said in her classroom on Monday morning.
McSparran considers a successful classroom “one where all students are motivated and able to learn, regardless of social-economic status, ethnicity, or disability.”
“It is my hope the I can instill my enthusiasm for learning in every student so that they, too, become lifelong learners,” she stated when asked for her philosophy of teaching.
As Ramona Teacher of the Year, she became eligible to be considered for County Teacher of the Year. Two years ago, the Santee resident also was honored as a California Distinguished School Primary Writer.
“Mrs. McSparran’s influence in the education of Mt. Woodson students reaches well beyond our special education students,” Mt. Woodson Principal Theresa Grace said when the district announced its selection of McSparran as Teacher of the Year. “She has been instrumental in the development of our highly effective Response to Intervention Program, Student Assistance Team process, and our current Turn Around Schools initiative. Colleagues seek her out for advice and assistance in supporting struggling or challenging students in their classes, and she is always willing to help colleagues and students in need.”
Sentinel photo/Lynn Sampson
McSparran holds a bachelor of science degree in elementary education and special education from Rhode Island College. She earned her Master of Arts in Education, Level II Special Education, from California State University San Marcos in 2007. She also studied character education at Chapman University.
Ramona Unified teachers previously honored as county teachers of the year are Belle Bohn in 1996, Adrienne Moreland in 1993, Jose Smith in 1989, and Michael Jordan Sr. in 1988, Graeff noted.
California Distinguished School 2010
10 months ago
Mt. Woodson Named California Distinguished School
SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today announced 484 exemplary California public elementary schools were selected as 2010 California Distinguished Schools. The list of schools may be viewed online at 2010 Distinguished Elementary Schools - California School Recognition Program.
"It is an honor to recognize the schools, and the students, parents, teachers, and administrators who helped earn this most prestigious distinction," said O'Connell. "The 2010 California Distinguished Schools have been selected because of their academic excellence and for narrowing achievement gaps. These schools have persevered despite state budget cutbacks that have cut deeply into the budgets of local school districts. I encourage educators throughout our state to review the signature practices that Distinguished Schools are using to improve student achievement."
Schools earning the Distinguished School title agree to share their signature practices with other schools and serve as a mentor to other educators who want to replicate the work. An updated searchable database of these signature practices will be available later this spring by the California Department of Education.
The 2010 California Distinguished Schools are geographically diverse with locations in small rural communities, suburban neighborhoods, and large urban cities. Most have significant populations of students living in poverty or learning English. Regardless of the setting, all these schools have teachers and principals committed to ensuring student success.
"I had the privilege to call all the winning schools and personally shared the good news with each principal," O'Connell said. "These dedicated educators I spoke to clearly share a school-wide vision of excellence where every student can succeed and achieve at the very highest levels of performance."
The California School Recognition Program is now in its 24th year and honors the state's most exemplary and inspiring public schools with the California Distinguished School Award. Although participation is voluntary, the award is highly sought after by schools in all areas of the state. Elementary and secondary schools are recognized during alternate years.
Schools were identified for eligibility on the basis of their Academic Performance Index and Adequate Yearly Progress results, which are the state and federal accountability models, respectively. The applicants were also identified by their success in narrowing the achievement gap that exists between higher-performing and lower-performing students. All applicants underwent a stringent selection process conducted by the California Department of Education with the help of many educators from across the state. Each applicant was required to describe two signature practices that have led to an increase in student achievement and a narrowing of the achievement gap. Applicants were then selected to receive a thorough site visit to validate the signature practices.
The 2010 California Distinguished Schools will be honored during an awards ceremony and dinner at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim on June 4, 2010.
Principal of the Year 2009
10 months ago
RAMONA -- Theresa Grace, principal of Mt. Woodson Elementary School in Ramona, has been named Elementary Principal of the Year for San Diego and Imperial counties by The Association of California School Administrators.
"We're so proud of Theresa, who has excelled during her 15 years as an educator," said Robert W. Graeff, superintendent for Ramona Unified School District.
"She has a wonderful style of leadership which has been helpful in managing a diverse campus and has pioneered several instructional programs for the district."
Echoing Graeff's sentiments was Joe Annicharico, assistant superintendent and a member of the selection committee.
"Grace was nominated by district peers for her career accomplishments, which span from K-12, and for her success at every level," said Annicharico.
As Elementary Principal of the Year, Grace represents a geographical region with 650 schools and more than 500,000 students.
In a recent interview, she appeared humbled and honored by the recognition. She gave kudos to her dedicated staff, supportive district and committed Parent Teacher Association.
"Even thought the ACSA is giving me the award, I feel like it has been a team effort," said Grace, acknowledging a student's education involves teachers, support staff and parent participation.
During the last five years at Mt. Woodson, students' scores on state achievement tests have increased by more than 30 points, and there's been an increased emphasis on reading as well as technology.
"We have one computer for every two-and-a-half students, not including laptops," said Grace, comparing it to when she arrived and there were fewer than 50 computers on campus. The school has about 540 students.
Grace also has implemented innovative programs for students with learning disabilities, who are closely monitored and placed in general education classes in an effort to get them up to speed with their peers.
"More than test scores, it's important to use multiple tools to measure a student's academic success," said Grace, adding that she works closely with the teachers and staff to identify any students who might be struggling.
"Right now, our biggest challenge is not knowing what's going to happen with the state budget," said Grace. "If we knew what to expect, we could better plan."
Many students at the school rely on help from support-staff members such as bilingual assistants and site counselors, as well as the Title One program for children considered at risk of school failure. Those programs may shrink or disappear under the ever-tighter state budget, and Grace is working with district leaders to find outside funding for them from grants and other sources.
An awards dinner is being planned for April, where Grace will be publicly recognized for her accomplishment.
National Blue Ribbon Award 1996/1997
10 months ago
Mt.Woodson Elementary School is proud to state that we had received the National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Award for the 1996/97 school year from the United States Department of Education. Mt. Woodson was the only school from San Diego County to receive the award for that school year.
The Office of Educational Research and Improvement of the United States Department of Education recognizes exemplary schools through the National Blue Ribbon Schools program. The 13-year old program identifies and gives national recognition to a diverse group of public and private elementary and secondary schools that are unusually effective in meeting local, state. and national goals. Elementary and secondary schools are recognized in alternate years.
Blue Ribbon School status is awarded to urban, rural,and suburban schools
with such characteristics as:
• Strong leadership
• A clear vision and sense of mission that is shared by all connected with the school
• High-quality teaching
• An appropriate, up-to-date curriculum
• Policies and practices that ensure a safe environment conducive to learning
• Strong parental interest and involvement
• Evidence that the school helps all students achieve, in spite of their abilities
After a selection process by state departments of education, nominations are forwarded to the U.S. Department of Education. A 100-person National Review Panel of outstanding educators and other professionals reviews the nominations. The most promising schools are then visited by a site visitor for two days to verify the accuracy of information the school has provided and to report on school climate and instruction. After reviewing the site reports, the National Review Panel makes recommendations to the U.S. Secretary of Education, who then announces the names of the schools selected for recognition. The recognized schools are honored at a national ceremony in Washington D.C.
Teacher of the Year 2018
10 months ago
Congratulations to Ashli Krainock,
Mt. Woodson Elementary's and Ramona Unified School District's 2017-2018 Teacher of the Year!
Serving as a Teacher in Ramona Unified since 1999 and currently as a TK/K Teacher at Mt. Woodson Elementary, Ashli is an example of excellence in our profession! Ashli is recognized as a standout for her professionalism, her collaborative nature, her innate ability to perform her craft, but most poignantly her deep and abiding commitment to the children in her classroom, school and in this town!
Principal Robin Arend wrote, "Ashli is a tremendous resource for Mt. Woodson. She makes a positive impact on student and adult learning, student social and emotional well-being, and is known for her inspiration to make learning accessible for every child!”
Ashli is a great representative of our District.