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Mrs. Montez
My third grade teacher is a teacher I will never forget. She was kind and thoughtful. It is the first class I remember having a more diverse class. She made me feel comfortable and safe. During this time I was also doing my communion in Spanish. I invited my teacher to come see the ceremony once I completed my course. I know she did not fully understand it, but she came and that made us have a connection. It made me feel even more comfortable to share a part of me that at times I did not feel proud of. My second language. She is the first teacher I remember making it feel positive not embarrassing. This is how I want to make my future students feel!
Bianca

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Mr. Sanchez

When I was in elementary school, my third-grade teacher inspired me to become a teacher. I remember having difficulty with my math and he would find different strategies to help me. Mr. Sanchez was so patient when teaching me. Looking back to my education, I cannot remember someone so dedicated and willing to help students when not understanding something like Mr. Sanchez did. He not only took his time to explain to us when we did not understand something during his lunch time but would also attend to any outside celebration that parents invited him to. He is the reason why I now enjoy doing math. He inspired me to never give up, and that no matter what the circumstances are, there is always a way.
~Monica Fernandez Samano

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My second grade teacher Mr. Shek, that we all called Mr. Shrek but mostly by accident not in a mean way. He was my only male elementary teacher and he was the kindest, most caring teacher. He had what he called "the comfy chair" in the back of the classroom and he would reward us by letting us sit in the comfy chair. One time I got hurt while I was playing and he let me sit in the comfy chair and hold a teddy bear all day. I could tell he really cared about his students and that is what is inspiring to me! To show genuine compassion for each student day after day, I hope my future students feel that compassion from me when I become a teacher.
-Alexandra Sandoval

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Of all the teachers who I crossed paths with throughout my life, the teacher who truly inspired myself was Mrs. Lamb. Much of my elementary and middle school, it was survival and vague memories as the student who never misbehaved so she blended into the walls. I wasn't noticed beyond my achievements and never made an actual bond because I was easy and dismissed. My Junior year of high school, I walked into 6th period and saw my teacher standing there with the kindest eyes and the brightest smile that lit the entire room. Mrs. Lamb was my English teacher who taught the subject with such passion that no subject ever hit a dull moment. With chaos in the background of my life, she always knew the right words to share and a door unlocked to welcome the tears, laughter, and even the peaceful silence. During free time, as I was passing notes to a friend, I questioned what I wanted to be after high school. As I wrote a list of occupations, I froze on the single word of "teacher?". Mrs. Lamb came to mind immediately, and everything that defined an amazing teacher suddenly embodied that of her. I realized I wanted to be a light for a student one day, the way she scared the darkness away in mine.
-Lisa Marie Castaneda

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Ever since second grade, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. It is all because of my wonderful teacher, Mrs. Belko. Her style of teaching, caring heart, and positive affirmations made me feel loved and capable the second I walked into the classroom. To this day, I still remember my second grade roster by heart, and I think it's a sign that I should teach, and that she made an impact on me. When reconnecting with an old friend, I told him about my teaching journey and he brought up Mrs. Belko saying she was the best teacher he had ever had. I think this truly attests to the person she was both inside and outside of the classroom. You can tell that she truly wanted all of her students to experience success in school and beyond. I miss her so much, and I hope to write her a letter the day I get hired as a teacher to truly thank her for inspiring me daily, and being a huge part of the person I am today. I want to be someone's Mrs. Belko one day.
-Shannon O'Neill

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I personally and gratefully had a very well experience in the K-12th school system. Due to this experience I believe one of my motives is to bring this experience to all the students I cross paths. Teaching since middle school was always one of my top 2 career contenders. I had many amazing teachers, but Dr. Favila has made a positive impact within me over the years to continue on this career path. She goes above and BEYOND for the students in the Santa Paula Unified School District. Dr. Favila at one point was my elementary school assistant principal, middle school teacher, high school mentor, and now is an assistant principal at one of the schools I substitute for. She is a teacher who is assertive yet truly loves her job, knowledgable, approachable, aspires students to learn, interactive with her students, resourceful, always willing to offer a helping hand etc. I believe educators are more than simply teachers and that she is. Teachers have the power to change individuals through something a powerful as the human touch in education.

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In the 90s, when someone broke their femur, they were hospitalized for almost 2 months. When my sister broke her femur in 2nd grade, the injury meant she would likely fall behind and maybe even have to repeat the grade. However, Mrs. Westman, every day after school let out, would pick up her kids and bring them to our house for my mom to watch. Then, Mrs. Westman would head off to the hospital where my sister was in traction and give her the day's lessons. For the 2 months that my sister was bedridden her teacher went above and beyond expectations and showed how much she cared for each of her students. Her kindness reminds me how far a small gesture can go.

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I hate that I was one of these people, but I used to believe that teaching was an easy job and you did not need to be very educated to go into teaching. This was one of the biggest factors holding be back from becoming a teacher. I did not want to be seen in that light.  However, my senior year of high school I had a teacher named Mrs. Mekari who taught my English class. She was one of the most intelligent people I had ever met and I had so much respect for her and the knowledge she seemed to have on everything. She was a teacher that demanded respect, but also respected her students in a way that inspired us to reciprocate her. She handled her class with grace, while also being extremely fierce. She is someone who I have always looked up to and aspired to be. She was the teacher who changed my mindset on teachers. She still inspires me to this day when I think about the type of teacher she was and all that she taught me.
~ Mia Bolton

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Mr. Rollins was the only male teacher I ever had in elementary school, and that alone is inspirational in my opinion (we need more of them!) but he was also a teacher who put a ton of heart into everything he taught us. For me Mr. Rollins 4th grade class was almost 20 years ago, but I still remember it like it was yesterday. He made our classroom a community, we depended on one another, learned from one another, and most importantly knew we could trust each other. We would walk down the hallways singing songs as a class, led by the wonderful Mr. Rollins, and we were even given an opportunity to convince him we no longer needed homework by writing and rewriting persuasive essays. We came out on top, and he covertly taught us a writing lesson. I think about him often, and wonder if he knows how meaningful he was as a teacher. I look forward to creating memories for my students that will last them a lifetime as well.
-Liza Williams

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Two of my prior teachers stand out in my mind when I think back to my time as a student. I had Ms. Matter in third grade, and I think we were her first class as a new student. I just remember enjoying her class so much and how kind and thoughtful she was to everyone. I had Mr Erikson for chemistry in High School, and he made learning a tough subject really fun, because you could tell he enjoyed the subject so much. He was goofy and loud, and was able to break down the material so we all felt competent.
- Jessica Balfour

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In elementary school I was always enrolled in after school care and had an after-school teacher named Mrs. Hayes who was a new teacher at the time. She always tended to me and my needs and strived to help me succeed in every way. She would always stay behind and help me with assignments or lessons that I could not comprehend and would even take me to get my nails done or get ice cream when I was doing my absolute best. As I grew up, I stayed in contact with her and observed as well as did an internship in her classroom. She is a huge part of why I have decided to embark in the teaching profession and has been an inspiration to me my entire life.

-Natalee Keister

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My fifth grade teacher, whom I have interned for about two years ago,  inspired me to become an educator. Although I have had many positive experiences with teachers, she is the one that I always remembered looked up to. Mrs. Horn was the most caring, genuine, and motivating teacher to not only me, but everyone in the class. I have classmates that still talk about her impact on their lives. She had such a passion for teaching our young minds. You could tell that she genuinely wanted to be there to support and encourage us throughout the whole year. As I grew up, being a teacher was always in the back of my mind because of her. She kept in touch with me throughout the years and was always curious as what career I was going to pursue. She had remembered that I always loved being her "helper" and how much I enjoyed the rewarding matters of being a teacher. In my second year of college, I went out on a limb and decided to take an early child development course. In this course, we were asked to intern for a total of 120 hours in a classroom. Naturally, I called Mrs. Horn and demanded I be her intern. It wasn't much of a demand as she was ecstatic that I chose her... haha! I was inside her classroom the very next day. She was my inspiration and ever since that, I have wanted nothing more than to be an educator.

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I've been so fortunate to have had many positive experiences with teachers from kinder to the present. Teachers that showed me genuine love and support are the ones that I still hold close to my heart. I remember my kindergarten teacher Mrs. Ventura who always asked me how my family and I were doing, not only when I was in her class, but also when I moved on to other grades and she would see me in the halls after giving me a big hug. I remember my mom or dad would have me send her fruit or vegetables from whatever field they worked in. We really appreciated her caring about us.
Another teacher I learned so much from and who inspired me I to be an educator is Dr. Edwards, one of my community college professors. She is someone I wish to embody in the classroom in whichever grade I end up teaching. Her genuine spirit lit up any room and care for everyone really made a mark in my life. I was always eager to attend her lectures and if I remember correctly, I probably only missed two of her lectures the two years she was my professor. It was in her classroom that I realized it wasn't only me who she made feel special, it was about making everyone feel special and make them see they hold unique abilities.
-Maria

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My third grade teacher Mrs. Hernandez inspired me to become a teacher. She has been a teacher who I have remember the most in my elementary years because she formed a strong connection with her students. She showed genuine care and was passionate about teaching. She was the teacher who took time out of her lunch or after school to help students who need it the extra support. I always felt safe and welcomed everyday in her classroom. Her support and encouragement throughout the whole year made me succeed because I was motivated. Her powerful teaching characteristics are something I value because I know the impact it had on me and I want to have the same effect on my students.
- Monica Rocha

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My fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Clark, is someone I hold dearly in my heart. She passed away two years after I had her, but our year together taught me many life lessons that I carry with me to this day. She taught me to be my own number one fan, and taught me to be brave. I used to be bullied heavily during this time frame, and she told me that the most powerful thing I could do is to be myself. I excelled in her class because she supported me whole heartedly. Her students were more than just little learners or someones child. She had passion for teaching, and genuine love for us as individuals. She loved plays and acting, so our social studies unit was created into a play. I inspire to be as creative, kind, and accepting as Mrs. Clark was to her students. She set her students up for success, and the role she played in the early years of my education career will continue to inspire me.
- Mallory Partis

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One of my biggest inspirations was my English teacher in my junior year of high school. Mrs. Serio was one of the most open-minded and accepting individuals I had ever met. She always made time for students and I could always tell that she was really passionate about being a teacher. She was one of those teachers who genuinely loved each of her students and allowed a safe space for us. She was the one who inspired me to be a teacher. I always figured that I would just because I come from a long line of teaching, but Mrs. Serio's love for teaching showed me how fun it really could be and she made me want to make my students feel the way she made us feel.
- Sophia Marzolo

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Ms. Valadez was my third grade teacher who saw potential in me at such a young age. In my third grade class, Ms. Valadez made me a student helper/leader which meant that everyday after I finished my work I had the opportunity to help my classmates. I would assist them in reading or math. Ms. Valadez created a leader in me that has helped me in various ways throughout life. I decided to use this quote because I can't remember all my third grade teacher said but I remember how I felt after being her student. She made me feel empowered and that is something I will never forget. Now my job is to inspire my future students.
-Jalese

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One of my biggest inspirations came after I had already completed my education. Last year one of my elementary teachers passed away and I had the opportunity to go to her funeral. Aside from it being incredibly sad it was so awesome how many students from all her years of teaching were able to come  and support the family. It made me want to touch that many hearts through my years of teaching and I would say gave myself a pretty lofty goal. I had a few teachers through my years of education who had amazing impacts on my life as well but this specific instance touched me the most. She was an incredible woman, thank you again Mrs. Rush.

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Mr. Hill was my 4th grade teacher who realized that I couldn't read and took time out of his break time, almost every day, to teach me to read that year. At the end of the year, Mr. Hill presented me with a book, a real chapter book, as a gift that inspired me to become an avid reader. The book was Hurry Home, Candy. I loved the book. I went into teaching because of Mr. Hill. Like him, I wanted to inspire students to become the best they can be.
Above is a recent photo of my old school and as well as a copy of the cover of the book.
Sue