Teacher Honored in Emotional Ceremony : Education: Pacoima Middle School’s Ruth Brown, forced to retire because of illness, is praised by mayor.

If Ruth Brown had her way, she would teach at Pacoima Middle School for another 34 years. But time and her deteriorating health won’t allow it.

Brown, who began as a physical fitness teacher in 1960 and later moved up to dean of students, was forced to leave her job in January due to a malignant brain tumor that made it increasingly difficult for her to perform her duties.

But her 34 years as an educator and youth volunteer in the predominantly Latino, working-class neighborhood have not gone unrecognized.

Accompanied by her daughter and her former principal, Brown was awarded a certificate of recognition Friday from the Los Angeles Unified School District and the City Council in an emotional ceremony at City Hall.

“I would not have retired as long as I was effective,” said Brown, choking back tears. “But we are all given a deck of cards and we play them out.”

In a brief gathering after the presentation, Brown was praised by district administrators and city officials, including Mayor Richard Riordan, who called Brown “the greatest teacher in the history of the world.”

“How does it feel to be the greatest teacher in the world?” the mayor asked her.

“I don’t know,” she answered seriously. “I think it would feel better if I were still teaching.”

Maria Wale, principal of Pacoima Middle School, said Brown was the first person to welcome her when she arrived several years ago to become the school’s first female principal.

Since then, Wale said Brown has “always been in the forefront in trying to make sure everybody else was comfortable and happy.”

The students liked Brown so much that a few years ago they dedicated the yearbook to her. And faculty members respected her so much that they elected her dean of students in 1987.

“I will tell you that Ruth Brown has been the guardian angel of Pacoima Middle School,” Wale said. “I believe in angels.”