Beloved Deer Canyon teacher turns in chalk

Even though Deer Canyon fifth-grade teacher Dennis Bueker won’t be leading the annual Ride Across California after he retires in June, he still plans on participating in the event.

“It feels like the right time,” Bueker said about his impending retirement after teaching for 38 years

In honor of his retirement, a ceremonial bike ride around Deer Canyon will be held at 5:15 p.m. Friday, June 16 followed by a reception from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

A “Bueker Bike Scholarship” is also being established in his name, which will pay a student’s expenses — including participation fees, bike and helmet — who would otherwise be unable to attend.

According to Deer Canyon parent Jana Rossi, the scholarship might be up to $500 and the hope is to raise enough money to continue it yearly.

Though Bueker is best known in the district for starting the Ride Across California program, he is also known for his teaching style and dedication to children and school programs.

“He is the most unique teacher I have ever worked with,” said Deer Canyon Principal Earl Scull. “He’s an icon and the most recognized name on campus.

“He creates memories students never forget,” Scull said. “He brings learning alive for kids.”

Bueker, who grew up in Chicago and moved to the San Fernando Valley as a teen, graduated from San Diego State University and soon after began teaching in the Poway Unified School District.

“I have always been very proud working in (PUSD),” Bueker said. “It has changed a lot, but is still the best place in San Diego to teach.”

He started at Midland Elementary in 1968, teaching third through fifth grades.

“When I was in college, the idea of making a lot of money was the antithesis of what’s important,” Bueker said of his decision to become a teacher.

“It was important to me to help make the world a better place,” Bueker said. “As an elementary teacher, I could influence things for the better.”

He transferred to Sundance Elementary, teaching fifth grade, when it opened in 1979.

While there, he started a backpacking trip from Mammoth to Yosemite for elementary through high school students with teacher Eddie Lindros.

They continued the program for 21 years, which is led now by former student Scott Rinhart, a teacher at Chaparral Elementary.

When Deer Canyon Elementary opened in 1990, Bueker transferred and began the Ride Across California trip with then-Principal Mike Fickel.

Inspired by a book about a teacher who led five middle school students across the United States, Bueker and Fickel wanted to provide students with a memorable experience that would teach them perseverance and self confidence.

“Learning is not just confined to class,” Bueker said. “My biggest reward is seeing kids overcome adversity whether it’s in class, on the trail or riding a bike.

“When a kid says he can’t and realizes (later) he can find a way to work more effectively, that’s pretty powerful,” Bueker said. “Kids develop the confidence to do whatever they need to do to accomplish their goals.”

“He was a really fun and good teacher,” said eighth-grader Amanda Rossi. “He was very creative and made the curriculum more fun to learn.”

Rossi said she remembers how Bueker kept encouraging her to finish the hill climb when she was tired and wanted to stop, a requirement before joining the bike ride.

“He stayed with me and supported me all the way up,” Rossi said. “I learned if I set my mind to do something, I could do it.”

His unique teaching style included making soma cubes — wood puzzles — for every fifth-grader, telling ghost stories around a bonfire at Halloween and teaching students how to make candles for Christmas.

Despite his style, Scull said Bueker “has high standards, holds kids accountable and his kids do incredibly well.”

He also advised the fifth-grade safety patrol and made weekly trips to San Marcos to pick up ice cream sold on campus each Friday as a fundraiser.

“He does fabulous work with kids,” Fickel said. “I admire him and his (lifestyle) of giving back to kids.”

“Dennis is a phenomenal teacher,” said parent Gary Rossi, who had two children taught by Bueker. “He does so many different things to enhance the creativity, imagination and success of kids.”

Bueker said that over the last 38 years, he has seen many changes in both the school environment and students.

While he said the attention to education might have been too lax in the ‘60s and ‘70s, he disapproves of the current focus on test scores.

“Kids have more choices now,” Bueker said. “(Decades earlier) they had more freedom and not the feeling they need to be supervised all the time.

“I’m seeing more stress in the kids,” Bueker said. “Yes, they are learning, but they are not as interested to learn for learning’s sake.”

Bueker said he is glad Ride Across California will continue, and while he will not be leading the trip, he plans on participating and telling his tales around the campfire each night.

These tales are what four-time bike ride participant Anna Megan Brodie, 21, remembers most about Bueker.

“I still remember those stories so vividly,” Brodie said. “They were really detailed and quite funny.”

As for the future, Bueker’s plans are uncertain. He will continue caring for his mother, Peggy, who lives with Bueker and his wife, Gwendoline, in Escondido.

He also plans to spend time with his daughters, Wendy Bueker and Mary Virville, and his four grandchildren.