Kathleen Bautista teaches kindergarten through 2nd grade students with special needs at Don Benito elementary school. She is proud of her students as they progress from barely verbal to engaged and capable. Don Benito Elementary Director: Kimberly Bautista

Esther Chun is a third-grade teacher at Franklin Elementary School. Her sweet personality and emphasis on character make her popular with the kids, but as a relatively new teacher, she is in danger of being laid off due to budget cuts. Franklin Elementary Director: Art Kellner

Frances Collins-Moore is a guidance counselor at Marshall Fundamental High School. She recognizes the importance of educating and guiding young students, but fears that budget cuts and overcrowded classrooms are keeping kids from realizing their full potential. Marshall Fundamental Secondary School Director: Marc Miller

Connie DeLaTorre is a community assistant at Jefferson Elementary School. From making coffee to managing money to speaking at board meetings, “the woman with a thousand jobs” makes everyone’s life a little bit less stressful. Jefferson Elementary Director: Student Director Shirly Rosales

Roxanne DuBoucheron is a music teacher who works with several schools in Pasadena. She teaches kids how to play all sorts of instruments – from violin and cello to brass and woodwinds to the drums. Ms. DuBoucheron knows that music can be an outlet for students who may […]

Chemistry teacher Benjamin Lambert believes that the key to being an effective teacher is recognizing that all students have potential. He’s popular amongst his students at Pasadena High School and their families because he has the ability to make scienece fun and interesting. Pasadena High School Director: Shun […]

Middle school librarian Maura Large teaches students at Eliot Middle School how to use the computers and library resources. This experience is invaluable to the kids, but she, and all secondary school librarians in Pasadena, were laid off at the end of the year due to budget cuts. […]

Joel Lopez is the high school band director at Marshall Secondary School. He educates his class of aspiring rock stars and jazz musicians by day, then takes care of his baby daughter by night. Marshall Secondary School Director: Marina Dominguez

Coach Parisi loves his job – coaching baseball at Pasadena High School. He leads his boys to a victory at home against Glendale High, and prepares for the game against their rival team, Muir. Pasadena High School Director: Jeff Johns

Whitney Reese teaches second grade at Jackson Elementary. She lives across the street and, as a child, attended the school. Not surprisingly, Jackson is like a second home to Ms. Reese. She shares her love of yoga with her students, and teaches them about herbs and gardening. Jackson […]

Ana Rodriguez is the ceramics teacher at Norma Coombs Elementary. Her students learn to paint ceramic tiles and create coil pots. Norma Coombs Elementary Director: Angelo Pacifici

Eileen Roth is a veteran librarian who has been at PUSD for over 40 years. Her library is designed to feel like a castle or a magical place, complete with dragon! Ms. Roth allows students and their parents to check out books whenever they like. Longfellow Elementary Director: […]

Alex Schultz is an art teacher at Pasadena High School’s Creative Arts Media and Design Academy (CAMAD). His students’ assignments include “paint your fears,” designing posters, and painting murals. Pasadena High School Director: Phil Ogden

High school English and Math teacher Gareth Seigel works with students that most other teachers have given up on. By forging a personal relationship with these high-risk teenagers, Mr. Seigel inspires them to strive for a brighter future. Center for Independent Student (CIS) Academy Director: Michael Newman

Donnetha Wallace is a culinary arts teacher and the program chair of the Culinary and Hospitality Pathway at Blair High School. She loves to cook, and enjoys sharing her passion with her students. Blair High School Director: Lindsay Mofford

Amy Taylor is an early childhood school psychologist at the Hodges Early Intervention Center. She assesses preschool-aged children for autism and other developmental disorders. Hodges Early Intervention Center Director: Melinda Baumle