The Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) has named Mount Miguel High School JROTC Instructor First Sergeant Dave Stanley as its Education Innovator of the Month for March.

Superintendent Terry Ryan said, “We salute Dave Stanley for the enthusiasm he exhibits in teaching leadership to the JROTC cadets and recognize his passion for instilling responsibility and discipline.”  Principal Steve Coover added, “Dave continuously challenges the students in new and creative ways by embracing the use of technology in the classroom, and developing new programs such as the JROTC Academic Decathlon and the First Aid Triage Competition which keep students actively engaged in a competitive and challenging format.”

Upon receipt of new and innovative technology distributed by the Army, Dave quickly implements new teaching devices into the classroom.  One such example is the Classroom Performance System (CPS), an advanced digital plug and play educational system, which allows the teacher free movement about the classroom, achieving superior educational performance.

Dave Stanley truly serves as a model for the Grossmont Union High School District's commitment to excellence.  Last year, under his leadership, the JROTC program placed an impressive 10th in the nation at the National Drill Meet in Daytona Beach, Florida.  As his colleague Major John Bachmann, with whom he has served on active duty since 1987, observed, “Dave Stanley is the institution at Mount Miguel High School.  He epitomizes the rank of First Sergeant, and his very presence makes students aware that there is the expectation of a standard.”  In their eyes, he is a role model and a father, helping them succeed to their fullest potential.  Whether it’s instruction on how to tie a necktie or a tourniquet, he’s someone they trust to guide, discipline, and console.

We commend Dave Stanley for his twenty-year service of active duty and his seventeen-year commitment to East County youth at Mount Miguel High School.  His passion for kids prompted him to stay in education, where his mantra of “Success comes in cans, not can’ts” helps unlock student potential.  As he so aptly stated, “I couldn’t leave education.  There is no doubt that what we are doing and teaching here is preparing students for the future.  What we’re giving them is going to help regardless of what they do in life.”