Math teacher at Indio High School named a 2025 Riverside County Teacher of the Year

Contributed — Sat, 18 May 2024 09:00:00 +0000

What’s it like to learn math from a Riverside County Teacher of the Year at Indio High School? In Amy Torres’ classroom, students experience an inclusive environment where they feel safe to make mistakes and learn without shame.

Torres received the news that she is one of four educators named a 2025 Riverside County Teacher of the Year on Thursday morning during her first period class when an entourage of education leaders burst into her classroom to surprise her and her students with the announcement.

Indio High School teacher Amy Torres works with her students at Indio High School in Indio, CA., May 16, 2024. Torres was awarded a Teacher of the Year certificate by the Riverside of Office of Education. | Jay Calderon/The Desert Sun

“Ever since I started as an AVID tutor here for my first job in education, I always knew that I wanted to be back at Indio High School,” Torres said in a statement provided by the Riverside County Office of Education. “It’s my goal to engage students, help them be successful and to learn how to give back.”

As chair of the math department, Torres also advises the National Honors Society and the California Scholarship Federation. Recently, she earned a supplementary authorization in computer science from Cal State Chico, with the goal of introducing Advanced Placement computer science courses at the high school.

Indio high School teacher Amy Torres, right receives a Riverside County Teacher of the Year certificate from Dr. Edwin Gomez with the Riverside Office of Education at Indio High School in Indio, CA., May 16, 2024 | Jay Calderon/The Desert Sun

Torres began her teaching career as a long-term substitute in 2015, working at two middle schools in the Desert Sands Unified School District before securing her current role in 2017. She holds a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies with a minor in mathematics from California State University San Marcos and a master’s degree in mathematics secondary education from Western Governors University.

Indio High School teacher Amy Torres was recognized as a Riverside County Teacher of the Year by the Riverside Office of Education at Indio High School in Indio, CA., May 16, 2024. | Jay Calderon/The Desert Sun

“I can see by looking around this classroom that there is a lot of learning that takes place here,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Edwin Gomez, during the surprise visit. “Ms. Torres is a committed educator who emphasizes the significance of mathematics in everyday life. She models good stewardship in her class and across campus, creating a benefit for the entire community.”

Torres will join Amanda Zonker from Riverside STEM Academy, along with two other teachers whose names have yet to be revealed, in representing Riverside County in the 2025 California Teacher of the Year competition.

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War Vets Without Diplomas Have Less Than One Month to Apply

Contributed — Mon, 16 Sep 2019 22:00:20 +0000

RIVERSIDE (CNS) – War Vets of foreign wars who didn’t graduate from
high school have until Oct. 15 to apply for graduation certificates issued
through a Riverside County program that awards diplomas to former airmen,
soldiers, sailors and Marines who gave up school to serve their country.
   The county Office of Education this year will conduct its 13th
“Operation Recognition” program for the benefit of veterans of World War II,
the Korean and Vietnam wars. The ceremony is scheduled for the afternoon of
Nov. 12 at the Moreno Valley Conference and Recreation Center.
   Under the program, vets are eligible to receive certificates even
though they never finished school.
   Office of Education officials began accepting applications two months
ago and set a deadline of Oct. 15 for the submission of filings for
certificates and to attend this year’s graduation.
   Superintendent of Schools Judy White said that 354 veterans from
Riverside County have received diplomas under Operation Recognition since the
program was initiated in 2007. Some of the recipients have been more than 90
years old.
   Operation Recognition is based on California Education Code 51440,
which permits the retroactive granting of graduation certificates to honorably
discharged or retired veterans who served while the country was on a war
footing. All they have to do is sign up.
   Forms can be downloaded at www.rcoe.us/operationrecognition, or
requested via phone through Tracey Case at 951-826-6570.

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Math teacher at Indio High School named a 2025 Riverside County Teacher of the Year

War Vets Without Diplomas Have Less Than One Month to Apply