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Suzanne & Courtney Gonzalez Teaching Award

In Memory of Suzanne & Courtney Gonzalez

This award honors the lives and legacies of Suzanne and Courtney Gonzalez.

Suzanne was a gifted and beloved elementary teacher for 31 years. Known for her effervescent charm and deep passion for serving young children, Suzanne began her 31-year career in education at the Old Mission Montessori School in Oceanside. She then started the preschool at St. Francis of Assisi School in Vista, later transitioning to public education with the Vista Unified School District. As part of the opening faculty at Lake Elementary School, Suzanne touched the lives and hearts of countless children over her long career.

Courtney was a gifted artist, mural painter, photographer, arborist, and master gardener, bringing an artist’s eye to everything he did. He was also an extraordinary cook and lover of music and theater. He worked as a graphic designer at a time when sign art and design moved from hand-drawn to digital creations, going back to school to learn the new skills required to pivot in his career. When he neared retirement, Courtney returned to music, a passion from his early life, learning to play the ukulele. He taught ukulele in schools and became a mentor and friend to many in the North County San Diego and West Coast ukulele communities. He was also a founding member of an active Meetup group called Ukulele Friends Ohana.

Courtney and Suzanne were both life-long learners. Together they formed a loving and passionate partnership, supporting the arts in North County in a variety of ways. They served as board members of the Patrons of the Arts Foundation in Carlsbad, where they supported numerous productions together in support of their daughter Sara, a gifted singer and actor. Courtney designed programs, crafted t-shirts, and painted scenes and backdrops, while Suzanne assisted with costumes, ushered guests, served concessions, and coordinated cast parties. Both even occasionally appeared on stage. Their love of the arts and life-long learning serves as the inspiration for this award.

Award Overview

• Eligibility to Apply

  Students who meet the following criteria will be invited to apply for the Suzanne and Courtney Gonzalez Teaching Award:

  • Multiple Subject Credential Candidates who are enrolled in the CREATE Teacher Residency program and the Bilingual Authorization Program
  • In good academic standing in both the Multiple Subject and Bilingual Authorization Programs (on track to finish during the current academic year) at the time of application
• Eligibility for the Award

  Once selected, students will receive their award upon completion of the following requirements:

  • Recommendation for the Multiple Subject Credential by CEHHS
  • Satisfactory completion of the California Bilingual Authorization requirements, including the language requirement, required coursework, and field observation(s)
• Application Details

  Students enrolled in the CREATE Teacher Residency and the Bilingual Authorization programs will be invited to apply for the Suzanne and Courtney Gonzalez Teaching Award. Upon notification of their eligibility, students must complete a simple online application, providing the following information:

  • Contact information
  • A statement about why they are pursuing the arts as an elementary teacher
  • A statement about their goals as a future bilingual educator
  • Selection of an interview time slot

  Students will be interviewed by a panel of faculty members from the School of Education.

Starting in Fall 2026, recipients will be selected during the fall semester. Students will be notified via email regarding their status in the application and review process. Completion of course and program requirements will be assessed after the interview process and prior to receiving the award. The award will be disbursed after recipients complete the CREATE Teacher Residency and have completed the requirements to earn a California Bilingual Authorization.