There was one person in Phyllis Muñoz’s life who always encouraged her to become a teacher: Her father, founder, Mr. Daniel Muñoz Sr.

But it wasn’t until she became a student aid, that she realized that education was her calling.

“My dad had always said I should be a teacher, and I had resisted the idea,” Phyllis Muñoz said. “Being in the classroom working with kids changed my mind, and I had to agree with him- I was meant to be a teacher.”

Indeed, Phyllis Muñoz was destined to become a teacher, and not only that: She was destined to become an educational leader. She has been an educator for 34 years, the last eight of those as principal at Ramona Elementary School.

For helping turn around the low-performing school into a successful, student-oriented school, Phyllis Muñoz has been selected as Elementary Principal of the Year for Region 18 of the Association for California School Administrators (ACSA), an association that represents school administrators in all of San Diego and Imperial counties. She will be honored at an April 20 gala.

“Based upon her strong leadership skills and the remarkable rise in student achievement over the past three years at Ramona Elementary School, she will be receiving this award representing all of San Diego and Imperial counties,” Ramona School District Superintendent Robert W. Graeff said in a statement.

Ramona Elementary School is predominantly Latino, low-income school. About 80 percent of students is Latino. Many of the families work in the nearby fields. Thanks to Muñoz’s dedication as principal since 2004, the school has been able to move forward, and improve its state test scores.

For Muñoz, the award is not only honoring her, but the whole Ramona Elementary School community.

“Quite frankly, if it were not for the hard work of the staff and students I would not be at this point,” she said. “This staff has made a lot of changes over the past few years all with the focus on improving student learning. We are working to make ‘our good better and our better the best’ – all for the kids.”

One of the teachers at Ramona Elementary, Sandra Jimenez, said that while in other schools the principal usually is sitting behind her desk in her office, Muñoz is a pro-active, hands-on principal.

“Principal Muñoz is very outgoing,” said Jimenez, who is a fourth grade teacher. “She is somebody who is always looking out for the kids. She’s really supportive of teachers. For example, if we want to go to a training to be better teachers, she’s all for it. She’s always making sure our kids receive the best education possible. She’s very involved, coming to our classrooms, asking parents and students to be part of the educational process.”

Muñoz said that her commitment to education comes in part from her father’s efforts to improve education for Latinos. In addition to founding La Prensa San Diego almost 40 years ago, Mr. Daniel Muñoz Sr. was also a pioneer Latino educator in San Diego.

“My dad always understood the value of education,” Phyllis Muñoz said. “My dad always took pride because I have worked in schools with large Hispanic populations, who were also low socio-economic, non-English speaking. He always pushed me to fight the good battle. My dad helped me understand that education was the gatekeeper for society and this gatekeeper could be used to deny access to advancement.

“With the help of my Dad I have never lost sight of who I am. Becoming a principal was not for the prestige of being a principal. As my dad would say, Para nuestra raza, I can be a stronger voice. And I can address issues not only at my site but also in district meetings and sometimes even at the county level.”

After a long career in education, Phyllis Muñoz encourages all Latinos and Latinas who want to become teachers. Even with all the pink slips and budget problems in schools, Latino students need strong models, she said.

“I know things are very tough right now. But for me, teaching is one of the noblest professions one can choose. As a Hispanic educator, aside from the joy and pride I have in my own children, teaching has been inspiring. That is an example of why I am in education. I am passionate about the importance of education of our Hispanic youth, particularly those whose parents cannot fight for them like my mom and dad did for me.”