New Haven Unified School District

I grew up in Union City, CA and was blessed with some of the most amazing teachers at Cabello Elementary, Alvarado Middle School, and later James Logan High School. And while high school is where discovered the world of competitive speech and debate, it was my middle school years especially where I fell in love with learning and first started realizing that I wanted to become a teacher in the future and work in education. With that said...

Mr. Higgerson my 8th grade homeroom teacher: I walk into my classes most days dressed in a sports jersey ready to have fun, excited to teach my kids new things, while also respecting them as young adults. I got all of that from you- you're the teacher I believe that I resemble the most. When kids tell me that they enjoy my classes or that I'm their favorite teacher, I always think to myself: "You really should be thanking Mr. Higgerson for that."

Mrs. Harrington: As my drama teacher you constantly reminded me to "ham it up" and that "the audience only sees it once." Both are points I regularly share with my speech students now.

Mrs. Baker, Ms. Bates, & Mr. Ramos: Along with Mr. Higgerson, all of you treated me like I was an adult. All of you constantly put me into leadership positions in your classes and within the school. All of you allowed me to do my own thing and work on all sorts of creative projects outside of the curriculum or your normal lesson plans. All of you empowered me and treated me like I was special. Thank you for teaching me how I should treat my own students.