Crenshaw named educator of month by Chamber

A+ WORK—Dos Caminos Elementary School teacher Judy Crenshaw grins at student Kagan Johnston, 6, at a Jan. 22 school assembly during which Crenshaw was named educator of the month by the Camarillo Chamber of Commerce. IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers Dos Caminos Elementary School teacher Judy Crenshaw thanked the Camarillo Chamber of Commerce for naming her educator of the month in a very fitting way.

When Chamber members surprised Crenshaw with the news at a school assembly last Thursday, she had both the children and the adults play a rousing round of "Simon Says."

How else did they expect an energetic kindergarten teacher to celebrate her award?

"That was part of her thankyou. I thought that was pretty fun. Everyone enjoyed it. And it was a first, at least in my time," said Tom Kelley, Chamber president.

Crenshaw, who has taught for 30 years—21 in the Pleasant Valley School District—is in her first year teaching at Dos Caminos.

She's already had a big impact on campus, according to her colleagues and Dos Caminos principal RaeAnne Michael. Crenshaw was nominated by kindergarten and first-grade teachers at the school, and Michael prepared the formal nomination for the Chamber.

Michael became aware of Crenshaw's enthusiasm for her profession when they both worked as mentor teachers in the 1980s.

"We worked together on a lot of projects, and I always admired her work," Michael said. "She loves learning herself, and she loves teaching. You will find her in the classroom having a wonderful time teaching students, singing songs and having fun. . . . We're fortunate to have her on this campus."

The Chamber will recognize six teachers this school year. The distinguished teachers receive a plaque and certificates of recognition from U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Thousand Oaks), Assemblymember Audra Strickland (R-Thousand Oaks), state Sen. Tony Strickland (RThousand Oaks) and Ventura County Supervisor Kathy Long. The Chamber has honored teachers in the community for about 30 years.

Crenshaw was excited about being named educator of the month.

"It is a true honor," she said. "I definitely love teaching and working with young children, their families and various school staff."

Crenshaw started her career in the Pleasant Valley district in 1987, teaching a first/secondgrade combination class at Santa Rosa Technology Magnet School.

After seven years at Santa Rosa, Crenshaw taught kindergarten for eight years at Tierra Linda Elementary School. She also taught at University Preparation School for five years.

Last year, she was a firstgrade teacher at La Mariposa Elementary School before coming to Dos Caminos.

Crenshaw taught at an international school in Yokohama, Japan, for 2½ years, from 1978 to 1980. Before that, she spent three years teaching in the San Diego Unified School District. She started her teaching career at Florence Children's Center in San Diego in September 1970.

Crenshaw's husband, Keith, was a radar interceptor operator on F-4 and F-14 fighter jets for the U.S. Navy for 24 years. Their daughter, Angie, 33, is a mechanical engineer for F-18 jets in the Navy. Their son, Matt, 27, is a police officer in Oxnard.

Michael enjoys walking by Crenshaw's class and seeing the teacher join her students in song.

"I love helping children celebrate the joy of learning as they are actively involved in their learning," Crenshaw said. "I enjoy leading children as they sing and move in rhythm to songs, dramatic activities and musical plays performed for their families and friends."