For the Love of Teaching: Five RUSD Teachers Recognized for Excellence

The seventh annual Teachers of Excellence Program hosted by the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints on Feb. 26 honored five teachers in the Redlands Unified School District who have demonstrated their dedication, hard work and talent to their students and communities. The teachers were nominated by their peers, parents and community members for this annual event, each receiving recognition from RUSD Superintendent Lori Rhodes, a certificate of appreciation and a basket of teacher supplies. Among the honorees was George Ryder, who teaches at Mentone Elementary School. Ryder is a native Californian whose second career as a teacher followed one as a waiter. He said his philosophy is to teach students as if they are your own children. "You must be enthusiastic and show students you care about them," he said. Donna Provencher, a teacher at Arroyo Elementary School, is a graduate of Cal State Fullerton with a major in business and accounting. She began her teaching career as a classroom volunteer and returned to school to get her credential and a master's degree. She has always taught kindergarten and enjoys former students returning to visit her class. Her love of her students is reflected in their successes in the community. Cindy Cardoza, from Bryn Mar Elementary, has taught in the Redlands area for most of her career. Her teaching philosophy is to make sure students feel safe so they can learn. Everyday she makes it a point to talk to each one so they know they were noticed at school. Cardoza said she has wanted to be a teacher since third grade and her passion for it shows in her classroom. Jeffery Apmadoc from the Redlands School of Music came to teaching from a career in music performance. He played the trombone and traveled with major stars all over the country as a young man before establishing a 16 year-long career in retail. He changed direction once more in 1999 when he started as a music teacher in Redlands. He has been the district elementary band director for the past 15 years. He believes that if you love music and show that love to children they will catch it. According to Apmadoc, "Music makes life better." This is Apmadoc’s last year of teaching. The fifth honoree was Gerard Ledukhuize, who teaches at Clement Middle School. Ludikhuze came to the United States at the age of 5, from Holland. He is a product of the Redlands schools, starting kindergarten as a non-English speaking student. His career in Redlands covers three schools with the last 19 years at Clement Middle school, where he teaches woodshop. He is married to a fellow teacher and both his children are teachers. In the classroom, Ludikhuize uses the inquiry method by letting his students investigate, design and build using their creativity. His love of wood and people, especially his students, shows in his success as a middle school teacher.