PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR

Priscilla Taylor
Principal, Beechwood School

Priscilla Taylor has worked in education for over 27 years. Her initial teaching position involved technology education, volunteer coordination, and library instruction with students in grades kindergarten through eighth. Building relationships within the community took time and these initial years were invaluable. With a desire to shift to core subject instruction, she took a 6th grade teaching position at Beechwood School for several years. After a short break, she returned in 2000 in a new position as the 6th-8th math instructor and Vice Principal of Beechwood School. The opportunity to engage with the community in a leadership role was life-changing. Three years later, she assumed the role of Principal, a position she held for approximately five years. In 2007, with shifting priorities at home, she made the decision to return to teaching and rejoined the staff as the middle school math instructor. She held that position for twelve years, finding joy in fostering a love of learning in her students while encouraging them to identify their individual strengths and use them to achieve their goals. In the spring of 2020, she was invited to return to administration, and in August, she resumed the role of Principal of Beechwood School. Priscilla strives to balance strong leadership with compassion. She is surrounded by a talented group of professionals and a warm community of students and families. In partnership, they continue to foster the growth of resilient students who can face the challenges of today and thrive in their tomorrows.

TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Debbie Wiseth
Third Grade Teacher, San Miguel Elementary School

Debbie Wiseth earned her AA degree at Mt. San Antonio College in Southern California while working full-time at Chick Sporting Goods. After attending Mt. SAC, she graduated from CSUF with her degree in Liberal Studies. Wanting to continue her education, she moved to San Jose and got a second degree in Environmental Studies with an emphasis in Environmental Education at SJSU and earned her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and CLAD Certificate there as well. While in the teaching credential program, Debbie was placed at San Miguel School for student teaching and was then hired to teach fourth grade. Debbie has been living the dream at San Miguel ever since. This is her 26th year of teaching and she has no plans on retiring anytime soon. One of the greatest rewards of having worked in the same community for so many years is now having her former students’ children and extended family. She said that it is wonderful to have people come back to visit and see families grow. Debbie is honored to receive the Forget-Me-Not Teacher of the Year Award from Acknowledge Alliance. Debbie feels there is no other path for her and still loves the path that she is on…teaching future generations that will one day be the leaders in our communities and world. Teaching young children has always been a passion. Their kind, loving, generous hearts, and their love of learning are what draws her to elementary-age children - seeing their faces light up at the idea of learning something new, overcoming struggles, and seeing the lightbulb shine when they accomplish a task or goal. She thanks her parents for sacrificing and affording her the education she has been given so she can live her passion.

HOPE OF THE FUTURE