Margarita Ortiz - 2008-09 Teacher of the Year
Spanish Teacher, Arcadia High School

When asked how the opening day of school went, Margarita stated:  “School opening was great, wonderful kids like always.”

Subject: Spanish 1, 2 and 4
Education: Born in New York and grew up in Puerto Rico; BA from University of Puerto Rico

Experience: Teacher for 31 years
Early years: Dominican Republic University, American overseas schools, and ESL in Puerto Rico public schools
AUSD: Dana MS prior to AHS
Rotary Teacher of the Month -December 2006 

Site activities: Academic Mentor, and CSF Advisor and has been Foreign Language Department chair; Hispanic Booster Club advisor – keeps Latino families connected, informed and involved.  Has big celebrations for Day of the Dead and Las Posada

Special classroom projects: Students are expected to always speak to her in Spanish.
While learning the language, students also integrate cooking and Mexican art.  Her students visit museums such as LACMA, Norton Simon and write about the works of master Mexican painters of the 20th century.     

Family: Been married to husband Pedro for nearly 33 years (he is a Medical Examiner with LA County). Two daughters graduated from AHS – both married and both lawyers (Esther – in Australia and Margaret in New York)

Activities/Hobbies: Loves pets: 3 cats and 1 dog. Loves to read, take long walks, crochet and cook and entertain. Loves to work with the elderly and volunteers at a convalescent home and AMH.  She is a Eucharistic Minister and gives communion to many of the elderly. She is proud to have completed the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela (please see details at the bottom)

Anecdote: Working on a cookbook for her daughters which will include family recipes from mom, grandmother, mother-in-law and good friends. She says black beans are a specialty.

Margarita describes the following pilgrimage which is very special to her:
I am now one of the many pilgrims who officially completed the "Camino a Santiago a 160 kilometer real walk, not bus tour, along the woods and meadows of Galicia , Spain"
Below is a description of the trip by the people I went with.  The most awesome trip I have ever taken. I highly recommend it if you like hiking.
The crown jewel of Spanish walking trails, the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela began as an act of faith as Europeans crossed Spain to visit the sacred tomb of Saint James. One thousand years later, the Camino continues to draw the spiritual as well as the traveler looking to enjoy the beauty of the green rolling hills and small hamlets of northwestern Spain's Galicia. Come be part of this magical route that is very special for us - it is on the Camino where the idea for Fresco Tours was first born in 1999.