Temecula Special Ed Teacher Honored for Achievement

A special education teacher from Temecula won a "Women of Achievement" award.

The YMCA of Riverside County presented Ruth Prystash the award on Thursday for her work with disabled students, according to Rick Peoples, a spokesperson for the county's Office of Education.

"Prystash, who works at the Rob Reiner Center in Perris… was honored for her unwavering belief that all children can learn, and for her vigilance in expanding and enriching programs and services for children with autism," Peoples said.

Prystash has 30 years and taught in school districts in San Diego, Lemon Grove and Grand Terrace in California and in Orient, Ohio, Peoples wrote in an announcement.

She worked as an autism consultant, a lead tether for the Reach Autism Program and as an instructor at UC Riverside. She has a bachelor's degree from Stanford and did her graduate degree at Ohio State University and Point Loma Nazarene College in San Diego, according to Peoples.

She is currently an employee of the Riverside County Office of Education.

CORRECTION: This article was updated at 8:10 p.m. on Sept. 16 to more accurately reflect Prystash's employment history and to say where she lives.