Ross Cruz had a banner year, being named 2015–2016 Winslow School District Teacher of the Year, and winning three additional awards/grants.
Marlton resident and Winslow Township School District Teacher Ross Cruz had a banner year in 2016. He was named 2015–2016 WTSD Teacher of the Year and won three additional awards and/or grants on behalf of Winslow Township Middle School, where he has taught since 1999.
The most recent accolade with Cruz’s name on it: honoree at the 2016 Axalta All-Pro Teachers Program in partnership with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Cruz, along with his wife, mother, and sister, as well as WTMS Principal Stella Nwanguma, attended a special ceremony at Lincoln Financial Field where Cruz was honored with the other nine winners, selected from a pool of hundreds of nominees, on Tuesday, Dec. 13.
In addition to a personalized Philadelphia Eagles jersey and football, Cruz also won four tickets to the Dec. 22 Eagles game against the Giants, as well as $1,000 for WTMS supplies and/or programming.
“It’s overwhelming,” Cruz said at the ceremony, which featured an appearance by Eagles safety Chris Maragos. “I’m trying to take in the moment. I’ve been an Eagles’ fan for over 40 years. It’s wonderful that Axalta and the Philadelphia Eagles are taking the time to recognize the amazing things teachers do in their classrooms everyday.
Earlier this month, Cruz also was notified that he is a finalist — the only one in the Northeast — in the national second annual Find Your Fire Community Grants program run by Bernzomatic. Three of 10 finalists will receive a $15,000, $7,500 and $5,000 grant respectively, plus Bernzomatic tools. The seven remaining finalists will each receive $1,500 and Bernzomatic products.
In April, Cruz also received a $5,000 grant and the Environmental Community Service Award from Wawa, 6ABC, and Manko, Gold, Katcher, and Fox, LLP, to further improve the new Environmental Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) class he teaches at WTMS. The class currently is in its second year.
“We are very excited for Mr. Cruz. He’s a hard worker who exudes energy and enthusiasm,” said Nwanguma, who nominated Cruz for the Axalta All-Pro Teachers Program in partnership with the Philadelphia Eagles. “He’s a wonderful example of a teacher and it’s nice to see him rewarded for all of his dedication.”
