Ruth Kritz named Teacher of the Year

WOMEN OF NOTE-From left, LVUSD Superintendent Sandra Smyser, Board of Education President Cindy Iser and board member Terilyn Finders celebrate with Ruth Kritz who was selected as Teacher of the Year in the district and in L.A. County. After 30 years of championing children and their infinite potential, Ruth Kritz has been recognized as a champion.

Kritz is among just 16 teachers selected to represent Los Angeles County from a field of 67 district winners. Countywide, there are 80,000 teachers.

Dubbed the "sweet 16" by California Department of Education Superintendent Jack O'Connell at the Universal City ceremony, Kritz and the other regional winners are being considered for the State Teacher of the Year title.

"I was shocked, very honored, very pleased," Kritz said. "It was such an honor because Las Virgenes is such a fabulous school district with so many spectacular teachers."

Kritz is a computer and physical education teacher at A.E. Wright Middle School in Calabasas. Principal Steve Rosentsweig said Kritz was an educational innovator on many fronts, having created a variety of hands-on programs.

"She works with every one of her students to help them understand that with appropriate effort they can all succeed," Rosentsweig said.

Kritz teaches the standards, he said, but reaches her objective by tapping into the unique creativity in each child. Rosentsweig called Kritz "really excellent."

Kritz's knack for reaching every child is grounded in a simple, basic philosophy. "All kids are gifted, all kids are talented, and all kids can be successful," she said. She instills this belief in her students by bolstering their particular strengths in all areas of the curriculum.

Meaningful, hands-on projects also help students reach their potential, Kritz said. Last year, she launched a "Charity Checks" program that required students to research a good cause, write scripts, letters and public service announcements and create a video presentation complete with music. Kritz secured a program sponsor, Countrywide Mortgage, which provided $25 for each student to donate to the charity featured in their project.

"They're learning all kinds of things you would in the business world," Kritz said. The project concluded with a breakfast meeting for students and representatives from the charities they supported.

Kritz started her teaching career at A.E. Wright in 1976 as a physical education teacher and dance instructor. After having children of her own, she stepped back from teaching, but not for long. Within a few years, she launched a P.E. program at Woodlake Elementary School, near her home. Under her direction, the school won an award for stellar participation in the "Jump Rope for Heart" program, a yearly fundraising event for the American Heart Association.

While at Woodlake, Kritz started the "Fit for Fun" running program and supported other fitness activities.

Kritz is especially proud of the beach program she created for A.E. Wright sixth-grade students. The students combine kayaking, surfing, snorkeling and other beach activities with powerful safety lessons.

"It's fabulous because I know it's going to save some kids' lives," Kritz said. Students learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation, how to safely navigate a riptide, and surfing safety measures.

She is also the teacher behind the seventh grade parent/child square dance.

"I believe in memory building," said Kritz, who also hosts a computer night where children teach their parents to use the computer. Her talent for technology is used by the school, where she heads up the technology team. She also works on the district's technology committee and trains teachers on new equipment.

Her zest for life extends past the classroom. "I love to dance. I love photography. I love to be active," Kritz said of her eclectic hobbies. "It's all wonderful, it really is."