Paula Blocker named Encinitas
Certificated Administrator of the Year

Paula Blocker, Administrator of Special Programs, has been selected as EUSD's Certificated Administrator of the Year. She has been a teacher in Encinitas since 1970 and has spent her entire career dedicated to the Hispanic student population and their success.   She has dedicated her career to the tenet that all children can learn and deserve high quality    instruction.   She loves teaching because she sees the potential in all students to bring their dreams to reality.   She sees her job as assisting the development of this potential.

She actualizes her dreams by   promoting the best staff development for the teachers who work with English Language Learners.   She is in the classrooms meeting and working with the students during the day and in the evening   she is with their parents. Whether it is through Parent Education Institutes or home visits Paula   knows the community, the people and their needs.  

Ms. Blocker believes in providing a student centered environment and curriculum designed to meet the   child's present needs, as well as preparing for a successful future. She believes that along with   providing a strong English Language Acquisition program, and a strong academic program it is    also imperative for students to gain a sense of self worth.

She  has assisted the staff at each of our schools' with heavily populated English Language Learners in conducting parent workshops and information sessions on the impact of   Proposition 227. She designed the program for students using the best of the Bilingual Program and the best of the English Academic program. The end result has been high-test scores both on the SAT 9 and  SABE, high performance assessments and more importantly, high self esteem for the students in Encinitas. The model of instruction she designed has been replicated throughout the county.

Ms. Blocker loves teaching because she sees the potential in all students to bring   their dreams to reality. She views her job as assisting in the development of this potential. Working as a team with students, parents and the school community enhances the development of literate, educated citizens that benefit the individual child and the community as a whole, thus building the dream.  

Ms .Blocker's contribution to teaching lies in her own personal high standards; her willingness  to help any teacher any time, her ability to be creative and implement those creative    ideas, and modeling her love for students.  

She is seen as a leader of English Language Acquisition in San Diego County. She is asked  to present at many conferences and inservice trainings due to her expertise and results in       helping students learn English. In sharing her knowledge and strategies, she is increasing the  number of students who can excel. 

She has been instrumental in designing Parent Education and Parent Involvement Programs  that are exceptional. Seven years ago she wrote and received a Federal Grant for the Family  English Language Program (FELP). Parents and students went to school at night together to  learn English. Through the arts, literature and field trips parents worked separately from and    alongside their children.