California Council for the Social Studies Awards PYLUSD Principal for Contributions to Social Studies Education

Dr. Beth Fisher, the Principal of Bernardo Yorba Middle School, soon to be transformed into the Orange County School of Computer Science (OCSCS), has recently been honored with the prestigious Diane L. Brooks Administrative Award by the California Council for the Social Studies (CCSS). This accolade is bestowed upon an educator or administrator at the district, state, or local level who has made significant contributions to the field of social studies education. Dr. Fisher was presented with this award at the CCSS’s annual conference, taking place from March 8 to 10 in Garden Grove this year.

Dr. Fisher’s recognition stems from her efforts in integrating Spanish immersion into history classes and her pivotal role in spearheading initiatives related to OCSCS. This academic year marks the first for the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District’s (PYLUSD) Spanish Dual Language Academy at Bernardo Yorba, as students transitioned from Glenview Elementary School to middle school. Moreover, students at OCSCS will be exposed to a unique learning model that emphasizes mastery of content and skills, incorporating elements of computer science into the study of history.

The CCSS is a non-profit professional organization dedicated to serving educators from both public and private schools, advocating for high-quality social studies education in California. Through standards-based professional development, resource sharing, and public advocacy, the organization aims to enhance the teaching and learning of history-social studies at all levels of education.

Dr. Fisher has served as the principal of Bernardo Yorba for the past five years and is poised to lead OCSCS in the upcoming school year. Prior to her tenure in PYLUSD, she spent a decade in the Garden Grove Unified School District, where she held roles as an assistant principal overseeing curriculum and instruction, student activities, parent engagement, and instructional technology. Her background also includes teaching various subjects such as English, history, English language development, AVID, and student leadership.

Way to go, Dr. Fisher!