Poway Unified middle school teachers close the book on their careers

Passing the Torch: Poway Unified Celebrates Veteran Educators While Embracing Tomorrow's Teachers

POWAY, CA — As the 2024-25 school year concluded, Poway Unified School District honored the retirement of dozens of veteran educators whose collective centuries of service have shaped generations of students. Yet this transition marks not an ending, but a carefully orchestrated passing of the torch to a new generation of passionate educators ready to carry forward the district's tradition of educational excellence.

The retiring teachers represent the culmination of extraordinary careers that have touched countless lives, while the district's robust recruitment and support systems ensure that their departure strengthens rather than diminishes the educational foundation they helped build.

Guardians of Learning: The Retiring Class of 2025

The elementary level bids farewell to eight dedicated educators who have shaped young minds at their most formative stage. Debbie Otto, whose 36-year journey concluded at Creekside Elementary, exemplifies the deep commitment these veterans brought to their calling. Teaching transitional kindergarten for her final 12 years, Otto's philosophy captured the essence of great teaching: "My goal was to make school a fun and positive experience, to foster relationships, create a caring classroom and to design and teach lessons that were engaging and educational."

Her reflection reveals the profound impact these educators have made: "The students have profoundly impacted my life in ways that far surpass my influence on theirs. Their energy, curiosity and resilience have inspired me every day, shaping my journey as an educator and enriching my experiences beyond measure."

Debbie Thornburg Fleurbaaij also leaves behind a 33-year legacy, having taught kindergarten at Monterey Ridge Elementary since the campus opened 17 years ago. Her career journey across Valley, Los Peñasquitos, Deer Canyon and Shoal Creek elementary schools demonstrates the broad impact veteran educators have across the district's learning communities.

The Middle School Legacy

At the middle school level, veteran educators like Joe Ismay leave behind transformational legacies that extend far beyond the classroom. Ismay's 36-year tenure at Meadowbrook Middle School as a technology teacher and wrestling coach demonstrates how great educators shape both minds and character.

"I became a teacher to try and be like the heroes that helped me through life," Ismay reflected. "Everything that I was able to achieve was through the love and support of my family, fellow coaches and colleagues in education. I enjoyed my career in education very much. I can't imagine having a better life."

Christine Donnelly's 31-year journey showcases the district's commitment to developing educational leaders from within. Beginning as a humanities teacher at Meadowbrook Middle School, she progressed through administrative roles to become executive director of Learning Support Services, demonstrating how Poway Unified cultivates and retains exceptional talent.

These departing educators created the foundation upon which tomorrow's teachers will build, ensuring continuity of excellence while enabling innovation and fresh perspectives.

High School Excellence Continues

While this year's high school retirees await future recognition, the district's tradition of secondary excellence remains strong. Historical departures like Peggy Brose, who dedicated 45 years to the district including 31 years as athletic director at Rancho Bernardo High School, and Lisa Friedrichs, who spent 29 years as choir director at Rancho Bernardo High School, exemplify the deep expertise that defines Poway Unified's high school programs.

These veteran educators didn't just teach subjects — they built programs, mentored colleagues, and created lasting legacies that continue to benefit students long after their retirement. Their contributions form the bedrock upon which new teachers can build innovative approaches while maintaining the district's commitment to excellence.

A Cross-Generational Legacy

The breadth of these retirements spans the entire educational spectrum, from transitional kindergarten through high school graduation. These educators have collectively witnessed decades of educational evolution, adapting their teaching methods through technological advances, curriculum changes, and most recently, the challenges of pandemic-era education.

Many retiring teachers expressed similar sentiments about their motivation for entering education and their lasting memories. Ann Sumrall Tidwell plans to remain in Poway, spending time with grandchildren, traveling with her husband, and continuing to serve others through volunteer work. Elizabeth Zelaya, who taught preschool at Design 39 Campus, represents the district's innovative approach to early childhood education.

Additional middle school retirees include:

• Christopher Smith, who concluded 29 years in the district teaching physical education at Oak Valley Middle School
• Gwen Suennen, retiring after 17 years of special education instruction
• James Howard, who spent 12 years teaching seventh-grade humanities at Bernardo Heights Middle School
• Bianca Anderson, concluding a decade of physical education instruction at Bernardo Heights Middle School

A Measured Transition: Strength Through Stability

Rather than representing a crisis, the 2025 retirement pattern demonstrates Poway Unified's resilience and strategic planning. This year's modest numbers — just eight elementary teachers and several middle school educators — contrast sharply with the exceptional 2021 retirement surge when 38 elementary teachers and 27 high school teachers departed simultaneously.

Lessons from the Past: The 2021 wave, likely influenced by pandemic-era considerations, taught the district valuable lessons about succession planning and retention. The return to typical retirement patterns indicates successful navigation of post-pandemic challenges and positions the district for sustainable growth.

Strategic Advantage: The measured pace of current departures allows for something the 2021 exodus couldn't provide — thoughtful knowledge transfer. Veteran teachers can work alongside their successors, ensuring institutional wisdom passes seamlessly to the next generation while fresh perspectives enhance established programs.

District-Wide Impact and Transition

This year's retirement cohort represents a significant but manageable transition for Poway Unified, which serves approximately 35,000 students across 41 schools and stands as the third-largest school district in San Diego County. The district has established a systematic tradition of recognizing retiring educators across all levels, with elementary teachers featured in June recognition ceremonies, middle school teachers in July, and high school teachers scheduled for future acknowledgment.

The retiring educators range from classroom teachers to district administrators, including specialists in areas such as special education, physical education, music, and support services. Their collective departure represents not just individual career conclusions, but the end of an institutional memory that spans technological revolutions, educational reforms, and generational changes in student needs.

These retirements come as the district continues its mission to "inspire passion and prepare every student to thrive in college, career, and life by providing personalized, rich, and rigorous learning experiences." The departing educators have been instrumental in fulfilling this vision, creating educational foundations that have launched thousands of students toward successful futures.

Building Tomorrow's Educators: A Comprehensive Pipeline

Poway Unified's strength lies not just in honoring its departing veterans, but in its sophisticated approach to cultivating their successors. The district has created a comprehensive ecosystem that addresses every aspect of teacher development, from initial recruitment through career-long support.

Addressing Financial Barriers: Understanding that many promising educators begin their careers burdened by significant debt — often averaging $66,000 for master's programs — the district leverages multiple support systems. New teachers can access federal programs like Teacher Loan Forgiveness (up to $17,500 for special education, science, and math teachers) and Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which eliminates remaining debt after 10 years of public service.

California's Golden State Teacher Grant Program provides up to $20,000 for students in approved preparation programs, while the TEACH Grant Program offers additional annual support of up to $4,000 for those committed to serving in high-need schools.

The Poway Advantage: What sets Poway Unified apart is its locally-developed Poway Professional Assistance Program (PPAP), a collaborative effort between the district and the Poway Federation of Teachers. This program provides individualized support through California Teacher Induction at no cost to employees, emphasizing "individualized support, reflection, honesty, data-driven decisions, collaboration, coaching, and confidentiality."

New teachers receive up to 10 years of service credit, allowing placement up to Step 11 on the salary schedule with current ranges from $58,959 to $127,725. This accelerated placement recognizes experience and helps offset the financial challenges of entering the profession.

Overcoming Regional Challenges with Innovation

The San Diego region's housing market — where Poway median home prices surged to $1.79 million in 2025 — presents real challenges for teacher recruitment. Yet Poway Unified has transformed these obstacles into opportunities for innovation and community partnership.

Creative Solutions: The H.O.P.E. (Housing Opportunities for Public Educators) Program exemplifies this approach, providing $40,000 grants toward first-home down payments using private developer funds rather than taxpayer dollars. As board president Ginger Couvrette noted, "This initiative is not just about housing. It is about investing in the educators who shape the future of our communities."

Community Investment: These partnerships demonstrate how Poway Unified's reputation for excellence attracts community support. When quality education becomes a shared community value, innovative solutions emerge that benefit everyone — from developers who want to support local schools to teachers who can establish roots in the communities they serve.

Regional Context: While San Diego Unified ranks as the third least affordable district nationally for new teachers, Poway Unified's comprehensive support systems and community partnerships create competitive advantages that help overcome regional disadvantages.

The Future is Bright: Continuity Through Change

As veteran educators pass the torch, Poway Unified's commitment to educational excellence remains unwavering. The district's comprehensive approach to teacher recruitment and support ensures that today's retirements strengthen rather than weaken tomorrow's classrooms.

Strength Through Succession: The measured pace of current retirements provides invaluable time for knowledge transfer and mentorship. Unlike the sudden exodus of 2021, today's transitions allow veteran teachers to guide their successors, ensuring institutional wisdom combines seamlessly with fresh innovation.

Investment in Excellence: From comprehensive induction programs to competitive compensation packages, from housing assistance initiatives to ongoing professional development, Poway Unified has created an ecosystem where great teachers want to work and can thrive throughout their careers.

A Living Legacy: The retiring educators of 2025 leave behind more than classroom memories — they leave systems, programs, and a culture of excellence that will continue inspiring students for generations. Their successors inherit not just teaching positions, but a proud tradition of educational innovation and student-centered learning.

Looking Forward: As Poway Unified continues serving 35,000 students across 41 schools, the district's ability to attract and retain exceptional educators ensures that the torch of educational excellence burns ever brighter. Each retiring teacher's legacy becomes the foundation upon which new educators build even greater achievements.

The transition from veteran to novice, from experience to innovation, from tradition to transformation — this is not the end of an era, but the beginning of an even more promising chapter in Poway Unified's distinguished history of educational excellence.

Poway Unified middle school teachers close the book on their careers