At the May 4, 2011 meeting of the Board of Education, the 2010-11 Site Teachers of the Year were recognized for their outstanding work and dedication on behalf of the students of Fontana.  From this exceptional group of teachers, William Wu, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, announced FUSD's 2010-11 Teacher of the Year, Yuliana Guerra of Truman Middle School.

"'Math easy. Math yes.' That is the philosophy of one of Fontana Unified School District’s very own," said Mr. Wu in his introduction of our Teacher of the Year.  "A little more than four years ago, an energetic and enthusiastic young woman entered the principal’s office eager to begin her life’s passion, teaching. A bit intrepid as she was taking over a classroom mid-year, she held high hopes of inspiring students. With a love of learning that is often unseen, at least in the math world. What Pythagoras, Euclid or Einstein may have found difficult, she made easy. Equipped with effective instructional strategies, a portfolio bar none, and passion rarely seen, she enthuses her students and her colleagues alike with her love of learning and a focus on achievement. As department leaders, she utilizes collaboration and shared decision making within her professional learning community to create structures which encourage students to learn. We should be proud this day as one of our very own has returned to give back to the Fontana community."

“I am a ‘product’ of the Fontana Unified School District education system,” said Ms. Guerra. She started first grade at Tokay and attended second through fifth grade at Juniper Elementary School. “It was at Juniper where my eagerness to learn and enjoyment of school began,” she said. “My love for school continued at Alder Middle School. I excelled in math and won several Math Field Day awards. Algebra became my favorite subject in Ms. Bingham’s 8th grade class.

It was during her years at A.B. Miller High School that she began taking a serious interest in achieving higher education. “I had great teachers who facilitated my journey into college, like Ms. Paris who taught me excellent writing skills and inspired my fondness for great literature,” said Ms. Guerra. “Mr. Jennings, is an exemplary AVID coordinator who helped make possible my dreams of attending UCLA.” Not only was she accepted into UCLA but she was a GATES Millennium Scholar. “In other words,” said Ms. Guerra, “I got a full ride to UCLA.”

At UCLA, she developed a deeper interest in giving back to her community and graduated with a B.A. in just three years. After working in a business for a year, she said she quickly found that her purpose in life was not to make money but to educate children.

“I began my journey as an educator and soon obtained my teaching credential and Masters at Claremont Graduate University,” said Ms. Guerra. “I am now delighted to serve youth in the community I grew up in. My goals are to inspire students to become resilient individuals amongst adversity and to encourage them to achieve academic success and continue their education.”

The Fontana Unified School District is committed to recognizing excellence in the teaching profession. We possess a great number of highly skilled, motivated, and dedicated professionals who deserve to have their achievements recognized. Congratulations to Yuliana Guerra, FUSD's 2010-11 Teacher of the Year and to all the outstanding Site Teachers of the Year.