Señor Jason Fritze Named 2018 Spirit of Laguna Award Recipient

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — On August 28, at the annual Welcome Back Breakfast for Laguna Beach Unified School District employees, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jason Viloria named Spanish elementary school teacher Jason Fritze the recipient of the 2018 Spirit of Laguna award.

Now in its 11th year, the award recognizes a District staff member who exemplifies extraordinary service to others.

“The energy and passion that Señor Fritze displays in teaching his students Spanish make his classroom a favorite of mine to visit,” said El Morro Elementary School Principal Chris Duddy. “You won’t see children completing grammar worksheets. Instead, you’ll find them physically and mentally immersed in speaking and reading Spanish. I’m never surprised to find Spanish instructors from around the world visiting his classroom to observe his teaching strategies,” he concluded.

Mr. Fritze is a National Board Certified Teacher in World Languages Other than English, an author, and a presenter. Originally from Oklahoma where he taught Spanish and French for seven years, he has also taught in New Jersey and Tennessee. He regularly presents at state, regional, and national language conferences and conducts workshops for language teachers throughout the United States on Comprehension-Based Methods and reading strategies in the classroom.

“Jason is a worldwide leader in foreign language instruction, and we are lucky to have him as part of the LBUSD family,” said Top of the World Elementary Principal Michael Conlon.

Mr. Fritze has taught in the Laguna Beach Unified School District since 2009, alternating his time between El Morro Elementary and Top of the World Elementary. The creative learning environments he creates for students regardless of age or ability and his continued efforts to share his knowledge with peers are evidence of his commitment to his students and profession.

Laguna Beach Unified School District photo: (From left to right: Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jason Viloria, Board Member Peggy Wolff, Jason Fritze, Top of the World Elementary School Principal Michael Conlon, and El Morro Elementary School Principal Chris Duddy).