Poway Unified Announces 2024 ‘PUSD Teachers of the Year’

(San Diego, CA) – The Poway Unified School District (PUSD) is proud to announce that Ross Kallen, Visual/Technical Arts Teacher at Rancho Bernardo High School; Elise Milling, 8^th Grade Humanities and Performing Arts Teacher at Mesa Verde Middle School; and Nicole Stowell, Education Specialist at Sunset Hills Elementary School have been chosen as the PUSD Teachers of the Year for 2024. These teachers embody the PUSD culture and mission through their job performance, dedication to the community, and contributions to the District. Their names will be forwarded to the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE), which sponsors a countywide recognition program for teachers.

Ross Kallen, Visual/Technical Arts Teacher at Rancho Bernardo High School

Ross Kallen has been with PUSD for 29 years, 26 of which has been spent teaching. Through his digital media production and broadcast journalism classes, he empowers students to pursue their creative passions and ideas while preparing them for their future college and career goals. His alumni have gone on to attend the nation’s top film schools and film festivals, direct music videos and national awards show broadcasts, and even work on a former President’s Cabinet at the White House.

As technology evolves, Ross incorporates innovative teaching techniques and tools to reflect the ever-changing landscape of media. His goal is to assist students in connecting with and serving their larger community through video storytelling. His students have created pieces exploring topics such as mental wellness, school safety, homelessness, as well as global issues like environmental challenges in the Amazon rainforest.

From a District wide digital media internship (Studio 701) to a summer filmmaker’s workshop, Ross is always connecting his students to professional mentors in the industry to bring them authentic, hands-on learning. As a former music teacher, he is also passionate about the performing arts and highlighting school and district performances for audiences all over the world.

Elise Milling, 8^th Grade Humanities and Performing Arts Teacher at Mesa Verde Middle School

Elise has spent 23 of her 26 years of teaching in Poway Unified and is guided by the belief that to be a student in her class is to be seen as a human first – each one with their own unique story. As both a Humanities and Performing Arts teacher, she often integrates the subjects together to create unique and memorable learning experiences. For example, for a lesson on the industrial revolution, her students created shadow puppet performances to showcase their learning. In language arts, students might perform poetry or present art pieces commemorating the “Trail of Tears."

She has grown Mesa Verde’s performing arts elective classes to include students of all abilities, from English learners to students with extensive needs. Elise is proud that students in her choir and drama classes aren’t just the “typical” theatre kids. She is also passionate about building bridges through cross-campus collaboration with both Westview and Mt. Carmel, to create opportunities for students to find their voice and joy in performing at community events, including singing the national anthem at Padres games.

Nicole Stowell, Education Specialist at Sunset Hills Elementary School

Nicole has spent all 28 years of her career teaching in the Poway Unified School District. As the Education Specialist at Sunset Hills Elementary School, she has created an environment where all students, whether or not they have an IEP, have a safe space where they can access supports and sensory breaks in her room.

Nicole says her strengths lie in building rapport with all students, viewing them through their strengths, not deficits. She believes every child deserves a chance and has a right to be their individual self. She founded the Little League Challenger program in Rancho Peñasquitos Little League, for players who have varying disabilities to enjoy the game of baseball. Students from many PUSD elementary, middle, and high schools play alongside a buddy, leading to bonds that extend onto each of these campuses.

Her leadership and collaborative approach on campus helped Sunset Hills Elementary School to become among PUSD’s Inclusive Schools of Excellence in 2023, becoming a model in co-teaching across PUSD.

2024 Poway Unified School Site Teachers of the Year

Congratulations to all of our site and department Teachers of the Year who represent the best of #TeamPUSD: