Celebrating 109+ Years of Dedication: A Retirement Tribute

Honoring Susan Crook, Maybrit Galván, and Margaret Martinez-Ingle for their extraordinary legacy of service, leadership, and heart.

Rio Vista Elementary School is proud to celebrate three exceptional educators — Susan Crook, Maybrit Galván, and Margaret Martinez-Ingle — whose combined 109+ years of service reflect an extraordinary legacy of dedication, leadership, and heart. Together, they have shaped generations of students and made a lasting impact on the Rio Vista community.

Three careers. Three legacies. One shared commitment to educating with excellence, compassion, and heart.

Susan Crook

Susan Crook brings more than 30 years of experience in education and is known for holding students to high academic standards while remaining fair, consistent, and supportive. She hopes her legacy reflects both her commitment to excellence and the strong relationships she built throughout her career.

“I’ll always be grateful for the relationships I built with both students and colleagues.”

Those meaningful connections have defined her remarkable journey in education. Her dedication to high expectations paired with genuine care for every student is a hallmark of the educator she has been throughout her career.

Maybrit Galván

Maybrit Galván is celebrating 38 years in education. She began her career at North Ranchito Elementary, where she taught for four years before joining Rio Vista Elementary 34 years ago. Over the years, she has served as a mentor teacher, Rio Vista’s Bilingual Contact Teacher for most of her tenure, and a member of important district committees, including the Report Card and Assessment Committees.

For more than 12 years, she has also coached the Rio Vista Running Club, inspiring students to pursue healthy lifestyles while building perseverance and confidence.

“La educación es el arma más poderosa que puedes usar para cambiar el mundo… Teaching that impacts is not head to head, but heart to heart… Enseñar es aprender dos veces.”

Her passion for teaching — in two languages, and with her whole heart — has left an indelible mark on every student, family, and colleague she has encountered at Rio Vista.

Margaret Martinez-Ingle

Margaret Martinez-Ingle began her career in 1985 and now celebrates 41 years of service with the El Rancho Unified School District. As an Early Childhood educator, she has taught kindergarten, first, and second grade at South Ranchito Elementary, Rivera Elementary, and Rio Vista Elementary. She has also supported young learners through after-school programs focused on music and art, enriching their educational experiences beyond the classroom.

In addition to her work with students, she has served her colleagues as a School Site Representative, Recording Secretary, Vice President, and President of the El Rancho Federation of Teachers. She continues to advocate for educators statewide as a member of the Early Childhood Committee for the California Federation of Teachers.

“You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

She hopes every child leaves her classroom carrying that belief with them — a powerful reminder that has guided her approach to early childhood education for more than four decades.

Rio Vista Elementary is deeply grateful for the combined decades of dedication these educators have given to students, families, and the profession. Their legacy of excellence, compassion, and service will continue to inspire the Rio Vista community for years to come.

Thank you, Susan, Maybrit, and Margaret — for 109+ years of service, heart, and inspiration.