Title: 1) Teacher; 2) Retired Mathematics Education Supervisor
Company: 1) Sylmar Charter High School, Los Angeles Unified School District; 2) Department of Education, Misamis Oriental Division Office, Philippines
Location: Sylmar, California, United States
Cruzim Pacuribot Cuerquez, PhD, teacher at Sylmar Charter High School, has been recognized by Top Educators for dedication, achievements, and leadership in mathematics education.
With a stellar career spanning more than four decades, Dr. Cuerquez has become a respected authority in advanced placement mathematics instruction, including AP Calculus, AP Pre-Calculus, statistics and geometry. Since 2006, he has excelled as a teacher at Sylmar Charter High School within the Los Angeles Unified School District. In this capacity, he is known for providing after-school academic support on a voluntary basis and for his commitment to communicating regularly with parents regarding student progress. Dr. Cuerquez develops instructional techniques that strengthen students’ understanding of calculus concepts and strives to ensure every student succeeds on the AP Calculus exam.
Additionally, Dr. Cuerquez has found success as an AP Calculus teacher for the AP Awareness Program—a collaborative initiative between the University of California, Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Unified School District. In this position, she helps students prepare for the AP exam through monthly review sessions from September to November. His dedication is further reflected in his willingness to take on additional responsibilities at school without compensation, such as teaching an auxiliary geometry class for seniors who need credits to graduate and supervising student sports activities when requested by the principal.
Before relocating to the United States in 2006, Dr. Cuerquez built a robust career in the Philippines. He worked as an education supervisor in secondary mathematics education at the Department of Education in Misamis Oriental Division Office from 1999 to 2006. From 2000 to 2002, he served as the executive vice president at Saint Peter’s College in Balingasag. Earlier positions to his credit included secondary school principal at Looc National High School from 1997 to 1999 and an independent consultant from 2002 to 2005. At Salay National High School between 1988 and 1997, Dr. Cuerquez refined his experience in education as department chair in mathematics before advancing into supervisory roles.
Dr. Cuerquez’s teaching journey began at St. Rita’s College of Balingasag from 1983 to 1988. He later taught calculus in the College of Engineering and mathematics courses within the College of Business Administration in the Philippines. Dr. Cuerquez also contributed as a part-time mathematics professor and thesis defense panelist at Liceo de Cagayan University in Cagayan de Oro City.
Throughout his career, Dr. Cuerquez has distinguished himself not only through his technical expertise but also through his profound love for family, students and community. His passion for teaching is rooted in personal experiences, particularly a pivotal moment when a fire destroyed his family’s businesses in 1985. As one of nine siblings and with his father working abroad, he chose to continue teaching rather than pursue religious life so he could support his younger siblings’ education. This sense of responsibility shaped his approach as an educator who views teaching as both a calling and a means to serve others.
Dr. Cuerquez’s impact extends beyond classroom instruction; he is frequently invited by the Department of Education in his home region to conduct seminars for teachers during visits to the Philippines. He has also been invited by a professor to speak at a university in Nepal and offer his knowledge as a consultant to two schools in Malaysia, testaments to his international reputation as an educational leader. A committed member of several professional organizations, Dr. Cuerquez remains affiliated with National Educators in America, United Teachers of Los Angeles, Association of Filipino Teachers and Educators in America, Mathematical Society of the Philippines, United Federation of Filipino American Educators and Columbian Squire.
Dr. Cuerquez’s academic background underpins his professional accomplishments. He initially pursued an education at the Technological Institute of the Philippines, from which he earned a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education majoring in mathematics after initial coursework in civil engineering. He later completed all academic requirements short of dissertation toward a Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics Education at the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP), where he also obtained his master’s degree. Ultimately, Dr. Cuerquez was presented with an honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Mathematics in Education from Euro Asian University in Europe in 2026.
Dr. Cuerquez’s success is deeply attributed to faith in God and inspiration drawn from his students, whom he considers blessings, and from mentors such as Dr. Charita Abao Luna at USTP and Dr. Roberto Padua, who taught him applied mathematics and statistics. Family remains at the heart of his life priorities; although single, he is devoted to two adopted sons—one residing with his family in Dubai while the other remains in the Philippines—and maintains close relationships with nieces, nephews and grandchildren.
Dr. Cuerquez’s accomplishments have been recognized through numerous accolades multiple Salindunong Awards across different years and locations. He has received scholarship grants from institutions such as the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines and the University of the Philippines. Furthermore, Dr. Cuerquez has been recognized as the Outstanding Mathematics Teacher of the Year by the Mathematical Society of the Philippines in 1994, the Most Influential Teacher of the Year by the United Federation of Filipino American Educators (UNIFFIED) New Jersey in 2016, Gawad Ulirang Guro by UNIFFIED in 2018, and Outstanding Teacher of the Year by UNIFFIED in 2019.
Civic engagement is central to Dr. Cuerquez’s life philosophy. He has adopted two schools in the Philippines—providing food programs for children whose families lack government support at one school and supplying bags and school supplies each June at another underserved school located in remote areas. Through church involvement, he helps raise funds for calamity relief efforts and has donated materials toward new church construction projects. Dr. Cuerquez is also known for authoring workbooks in trigonometry, geometry and algebra, resources that have supported countless students’ learning journeys.
Looking toward the future, Dr. Cuerquez plans to continue teaching well beyond traditional retirement age so that he may share knowledge with future generations across Los Angeles and beyond while strengthening relationships with students’ families through active participation at school events. He stands out among educators for his unwavering commitment to excellence in mathematics instruction, mentorship across continents and lifelong dedication to uplifting both individuals and communities through education.
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