Lemoore High School places two finalists in 2018 Excellence in Education Awards

The Lemoore Elementary School District place three finalists, including Loretta Black, Cinnamon Elementary principal; Lionel Garza, a custodian for the district, and Christopher Morshead, a music teacher at Liberty Middle School.

Dufur, a Lemoore High School graduate, began working at the high school about nine years ago, and she’s quickly moved up the ranks to serve as the school’s current registrar. The registrar handles new students, grades, and student records. “I welcome new students and make them feel welcome, helping them to acclimate to the school,” she said.

“I was very proud and humbled, and very surprised,” said Dufur of her selection.

The friendly registrar also had two kids make their way through the high school. Her daughter, Amy, teaches in the school’s agricultural department. Both her daughters graduated from Fresno State.

Bryan Rice, the district’s other finalist, has been in the area seven years, starting at Jamison High School as a part-time teacher and then getting a full-time gig at Middle College High School located on the West Hills College Lemoore campus.

The 33-year-old is married to wife Melissa and have three children: Josiah, Chara, and Bethany. They moved to Lemoore from Southern California in 2010.

Rice teaches AP and college prep world history and college prep US History. He also is a senior advisor and senior “Project Day” leader for the high school. He’s also an advisor to the Jesus Club, a campus organization that raises funds to support a seven-year-old Tanzanian student through Compassion International.

He attended high school in Lake Elsinore. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history from Cal State San Bernardino and later earned a teaching credential and then a master’s in educational technology from the American College of Education.

“Working at LMCHS really is a dream job,” said Rice. “The educational and social atmosphere fostered at the school makes it an ideal place to impact the lives of youth. Students and staff are genuine in their character, which empowers strong rapport to be built between students and staff across the campus. In short, the LMCHS students and staff make my job easy and a great pleasure.”

While he was surprised to become a finalist but said, he doesn’t feel he does anything exceptional and tries to avoid the spotlight. “I just try to create a better learning environment every day.”

He is looking forward to a long career in education. “I hope my future holds many more productive years in the classroom,” he said.  “I love my job and … I have no intention to leave the classroom for an administrative position. My main goal is to improve my skills and wisdom as a teacher. I expect my students to improve throughout the year. Therefore, I must do the same to model that desired development.”