School: Rowell Elementary

Grade: K - 6

Years in Education: 16 Years

Subject: Multiple

As a former student of Rowell herself, Mary wants her students to be excited about school both in and out of the classroom. She organizes all pep rallies, helped start the Dual Language Immersion program for Spanish-speaking students, brought back the school's Carnival after a decade-long hiatus, and started a swap closet for students in need of clothes and shoes. Mary's advice for her students is, "Don't believe what others think or say about you. Believe in yourself. Don't forget who you are or where you came from."

Name: Alyse Herrera

School: Natividad Elementary

Grade: K - 6

Years in Education: 5 Years

Subject: Multiple

Alyse credits her father for her passion for education. He started in the fields and was the first in his family to go to college. He became a teacher and eventually retired as Superintendent . After seeing what education did for her father, Alyse decided to devote her career to her community by giving back to students and show them that someone believes in them in the classroom. Alyse's advice to her students is, "There will always be people who will try to stop you. Your job is to prove them wrong."

Name: Alma Naranjo

School: Caruthers Elementary School

Grade: Kindergarten

Years in Education: 5 Years

Subject: Multiple

As a Kindergarten teacher, Alma wants all of her students to have a memorable first year of school. During the pandemic, Alma visited each of her students outside of their houses to read books, color, and sing the alphabet. She became a teacher because she wants every child who enters her classroom to feel appreciated, cared for, and loved, and wants them to know that there is someone who believes in their potential at a very young age.

School: Osborne High School

Grades: 9-12

Years in Education: 26 Years
Subject: Language Arts and Math
Dr. Veronica Ramos has always had a big heart to help out the underdogs in life. As a teacher for youth in juvenile hall, Dr. Ramos makes sure her students know she will never give up on them both inside and outside of the classroom. She has gone above and beyond for her students, helping them find jobs, providing them with clothing, writing recommendation letters to judges or colleges, providing housing for students during transitional periods, and celebrating every birthday so her students know she is in their corner.

School: Sacramento Charter High School

Grades: 9-12

Years in Education: 16

Subject: Performing Arts & Life Skills

Shawna believes it's important to go above and beyond every single day to give my students maximum opportunities. She wanted to be a teacher ever since she was six years old and is grateful to have been able to live out her passion, share her knowledge, and learn from her students. Shawna's advice to her students is "Learning doesn't stop when you leave the classroom. Be a lifelong learner and take advantage of every opportunity given to you."

School: East Palo Alto Charter School 
Grade: K-8
Subject: Physical Education
Years in Education: 23 Years

During the pandemic, Stephen wanted to make sure that his students had all of the resources they needed--both inside and outside of the classroom. He provided pizza dinners to students whose families were facing financial uncertainty due to the pandemic and during the holidays, raised over $6,000 for a Toy Drive for kids throughout the Bay Area. To help keep his students engaged, he recruited over 40 celebrities to share messages of encouragement to his students via his school's Instagram, which included guest appearances from Ice Cube, Coach Steve Kerr, and our very own Trey Lance and Nick Bosa.

School: Calla High School, Manteca

Grades: 11 & 12

Subjects: Algebra I, Algebra II, and Robotics

Years in Education: 23

Sandy is an alternative education high school teacher who taught herself to code at age 60 so she could start a Robotics program for her students. She enters her class into local Robotics competitions against larger high schools and her students have won multiple awards, including first place.