SYLMAR, CA, September 16, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Cruzim Pacuribot Cuerquez, PhD, has been recognized for achievement in education.

Dr. Cuerquez's distinguished career in education spans more than four decades, marked by dedication to mathematics instruction and a commitment to student achievement. Since 2006, he has served as a teacher at Sylmar Charter High School within the Los Angeles Unified School District, where he specializes in advanced placement mathematics, including AP Calculus, AP Pre-Calculus, statistics and geometry. His expertise is evident in his work with 9th and 10th graders who require geometry and with 11th and 12th graders enrolled in advanced mathematics courses.

Guided by a deep commitment to his students' success, Dr. Cuerquez's approach includes developing instructional techniques to strengthen students' understanding of calculus concepts, regularly communicating with parents about student progress and providing after-school academic support on a voluntary basis. When students struggle, he often stays after school without compensation to ensure they receive the help they need to succeed on the AP Calculus exam.

In addition to his primary teaching role, Dr. Cuerquez is also 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. Through this program, he leads monthly review sessions from September through November to help students prepare for the AP exam in May. His leadership at Sylmar Charter High School has contributed to its recognition as a top math, science and technology magnet school, consistently ranking among the top 10% of high schools in the United States since 2017.

Prior to his tenure in Los Angeles, Dr. Cuerquez built a substantial career in the Philippines over 23 years. He began teaching at St. Rita's College of Balingasag in Misamis Oriental from 1983 to 1988 before joining Salay National High School from 1988 to 1997, where he served as mathematics department chair. He then advanced to secondary school principal at Looc National High School from 1997 to 1999.

Earlier, from 1999 to 2006, Dr. Cuerquez served as education supervisor in secondary mathematics education at the Department of Education for the Misamis Oriental Division Office. During this period, he was also executive vice president at Saint Peter's College in Balingasag between 2000 and 2002 and worked as a consultant from 2002 until 2005.

Dr. Cuerquez's collegiate teaching experience includes roles as a calculus instructor for the College of Engineering and mathematics instructor for the College of Business Administration. He has also contributed as a part-time math professor and thesis defense panelist at Liceo de Cagayan University in Cagayan de Oro City. His expertise has been sought internationally; he was invited by a professor to speak at a university in Nepal and served as a consultant to two schools in Malaysia.

Throughout his career, Dr. Cuerquez has been recognized for conducting seminars for teachers in the Philippines at the request of the Department of Education whenever he returns home. These seminars have allowed him to influence curriculum development and promote environmentally friendly teaching methods across international boundaries. His professional affiliations include membership 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 journey began with coursework in civil engineering at the Technological Institute of the Philippines before earning a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with a major in mathematics. He completed his master's degree at the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines and pursued doctoral studies in mathematics education, completing all requirements except his dissertation. In recognition of his contributions to education, he was conferred an honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Mathematics in Education by Euro Asian University in 2026.

Reflecting on his career, Dr. Cuerquez attributes his success to his faith and to the inspiration he draws from his students' achievements, noting that former students who return to share their accomplishments as licensed professionals and community leaders remain among his greatest rewards. He credits his drive to a challenging upbringing as one of nine children in a household of 11, raised by a father who completed high school and a mother who completed only the sixth grade. Their love and support helped him overcome those early hardships, instilling in him a lifelong motivation to pursue education — not only to uplift his own family, but to serve his broader community.

Beyond academics, Dr. Cuerquez is deeply involved in civic activities both locally and abroad. He has adopted two schools in the Philippines, providing financial support for meal programs and supplying bags and school materials for underserved students each school year. His philanthropic efforts extend to supporting church construction projects by donating building materials such as cement and tiles and participating actively in church-based calamity relief fundraising initiatives.

In recognition of his accomplishments, Dr. Cuerquez received an honorary doctorate from Euro Asian University and was named Outstanding Teacher of the Year by the United Federation of Filipino American Educators. He has also earned multiple Salindunong Awards from UNIFFIED chapters in Washington, D.C., General Santos City and Cotabato City, along with Gawad Ulirang Guro honors, Most Influential Teacher of the Year accolades and Outstanding Mathematics Teacher recognitions from educational organizations throughout the Philippines. Beyond these honors, he has authored workbooks on trigonometry, geometry and algebra.

Outside his professional commitments, Dr. Cuerquez enjoys grading papers on weekends, teaching auxiliary geometry classes for seniors needing graduation credits and supervising student sports activities when requested by school leadership. He maintains strong ties with religious friends from his seminary days and continues to volunteer through his church community.

Family remains central to Dr. Cuerquez's life; he is devoted to his two adopted sons and supports his younger siblings through their education and into professional careers. Known affectionately as Mr. Roy or Papa Roy among students and parents due to a college nickname that followed him into teaching, Dr. Cuerquez views each student as part of his extended family.

Looking ahead, Dr. Cuerquez plans to continue teaching well beyond traditional retirement age so that he may keep sharing knowledge with students throughout Los Angeles and across America while fostering relationships with both parents and learners within his community.

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