High school district honoree is a special teacher
Published: June 29, 2005
Vicki Crouch knows her students. She knows who is good at art, who is a good listener and who enjoys music.
It’s part of her effort to assess their needs and learning styles.
“I try to understand what they have trouble with and identify their strengths,” said Crouch, who has taught special education at Fallbrook High School since 1999.
Once she gets to know them, Crouch encourages her students to use their talents in their class work. When they studied “Romeo and Juliet,” she gave them a choice of writing an essay, giving a PowerPoint presentation or doing an art project.
Every morning, she greets her students by name.
“You look at each as an individual,” Crouch said.
She was recently named Fallbrook Union High School District’s Teacher of the Year. She will represent the district in the County Teacher of the Year competition in October.
“I was surprised. I’m so honored to be chosen,” said Crouch. “I work with a great team of teachers. They are all sharing in this honor and are part of that.”
Principal Ruth Hellams said she has worked with Crouch for more than eight years.
“Vicki is respected by colleagues, students and families. She is an advocate for her students. She’s a coach and mentor to other teachers,” Hellams said.
Crouch teaches students with mild learning disabilities and supervises their progress from freshman through senior year. She also teaches a freshman English class.
When she became a teacher, she had an advantage that few new teachers have. She had more than a decade of experience as a volunteer, classroom aide and substitute teacher.
During those years, Crouch watched, listened and learned from the teachers she worked with. In her six years of teaching special education at Fallbrook High School, she has put that experience to good use.
“It was wonderful being in so many classrooms. I picked up everything,” said Crouch. “If I didn’t have that experience, I wouldn’t be the teacher I am today.”
Crouch graduated with a degree in psychology from California State University Fullerton. She worked in Orange County’s Social Services Department before choosing to stay at home with her two children.
As they entered school, Crouch began to volunteer in their classrooms in Fallbrook. She helped out in classrooms at Maie Ellis and La Paloma schools and later at Fallbrook High School.
Her experiences sparked her interest in teaching. She began teaching at Fallbrook High School in 1999, about the time her youngest child left for college.
“I never had an empty nest. I had 28 children,” Crouch said. “And it was wonderful to be a teacher where you knew everyone.”
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Kisses of Sunshine for Teachers (SUNSHINE SERIES)At Fallbrook High School, Crouch heads the special education department. Along with the academics, she helps her students with résumés and college applications. She said she has enjoyed the opportunity of working with students during their entire high school career.
“It’s wonderful to work with them and see them graduate, some going to college,” Crouch said.
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