Santana's Eileen Bagg-Rizzo Named a County Teacher of the Year

Santana High School teacher Eileen Bagg-Rizzo was named one of five San Diego County Teachers of the Year at a ceremony Saturday and dedicated her award to the school.

When she received her award she referenced her experience during the Santana shooting in 2001 and told the crowd: “We will always be one school, one heart.”

Eileen Bagg-Rizzo teaches English and Team Excel, a course in the Environmental Design Pathway at Santana, where she has been teaching since 1990. She also coaches Varsity Swim, has been a Department Chairperson, and has served as Coordinator for the AP Challenge Grant, a literacy program, and the English Language Learner’s program. 

"Eileen is an outstanding instructor, a natural leader, and (she makes) Santana a better place,” Santana Principal Tim Schwuchow said when she was named a GUHSD teacher of the year. 

A student of Ms. Bagg-Rizzo wrote: “Remarkable teachers give students life skills that are applicable both inside and outside of the classroom for the rest of their lives. Mrs. Bagg-Rizzo is a genuinely remarkable teacher.” 

Santee dominated this year's Grossmont Union High School District Teacher of the Year awards, with two local teachers being chosen as the top of the pack to send to the San Diego County Teacher of the Year competition.

Randy Cambou, an A.P. Government Teacher at West Hills, was among the 45 teachers in the running for the five tops spots and was named a GUHSD Teacher of the Year.