I know first-hand how fulfilling teaching can be. Before beginning my career with Monterey Bay Parent Magazine, I worked as a middle/high school teacher for nine years. I earned my Master’s Degree in Education, and for seven years I facilitated courses online. I took my Real Estate Broker’s exam in 2009 and then added another side job as a fitness instructor in 2011. When my son was born in 2013, I decided to end my full-time teaching career.
I understand why many people who are raised in Monterey County choose to stay here. I was born in Monterey and have spent my lifetime staying close to the area I love.
I spoke with four teachers who were born and raised in Monterey County and choose to give back to the community by educating the new generation. The overwhelming desire to help students paired with love for family and for Monterey County are common threads among all of the educators featured.
Stephanie DaSilva
Being a Monterey native, I feel like I know almost everyone in town. Stephanie DaSilva was someone I had corresponded with in the past but did not know personally. Stephanie is the eldest of five children. Like my husband’s parents, hers are both full Portuguese, and she is proud of her rich heritage. Her husband is also 100% Portuguese, and they have three school-aged children. Stephanie’s husband is from San Jose and had many fond memories of vacationing in Monterey as a child, so living here was an easy sell. “The beauty around us, the ideal climate and the support of family were all huge influences.”
Stephanie attended San Carlos School for K-8th, Santa Catalina for high school, and then received her Bachelor’s Degree at St. Mary’s College with a double major in Liberal and Civic Studies and Spanish. Stephanie attained her Multiple Subject Credential through CSUMB. She is a second-grade teacher at her alumni school, San Carlos in Monterey. Stephanie taught at Elkhorn Elementary in Castroville for 13 years prior, a total of 18 years of teaching.
I asked Stephanie what she likes most about being a teacher. “I love the excitement and love for learning you can create in children. I enjoy students take risks and the process of understanding”. Her teaching philosophy is project based and states that it is thrilling to witness and facilitate students learning in different ways and sharing their thinking with their peers. “I very much enjoy teaching the whole child whereas my goals in teaching are always to produce good people, not just good students.” Time management is Stephanie’s biggest challenge. “It is very easy to get so enthralled in teaching that it becomes your sole focus. Balancing life (being a wife, motherhood, housework, self-care) while feeling a commitment to your students and school community is a struggle. Learning never stops and feeling the sense of constant recreating lessons to serve your population better each year can be overwhelming.”
When asked about some of her most significant achievements or recognitions, Stephanie discussed how the classroom is an extension of each student’s family. Building a trusting and compassionate environment are some of her most significant achievements. She states, “I cherish when former students come back or write and remind me of everything I did for them or how much I impacted their lives. It always gives me such fulfillment to hear and know I’ve done my job and done it well.” She has also served as an Induction Coach for new teachers and has helped them learn and become confident in their teaching styles. Stephanie was honored this past school year with the KION Classroom Make Over award.
So what advice does this seasoned teacher have for people exploring the option of a teaching career? “Organization and patience are key elements to a successful classroom. Be passionate: if you love your job, then the students will feel that and love their job too! Enjoy the journey: the job is always changing. New students = new challenges and missions to accomplish.” Stephanie also stresses not to be afraid to ask for help from parents, principals or fellow teachers; they are willing to give support to ensure a successful year.
Joanna Medina
Joanna Medina is initially from Monterey. She was born and raised by parents who are first-generation Americans of Italian immigrants. Joanna’s mother, Anna Panetta, who was a teacher for over 40 years, came into her classroom to assist her every day before passing away in 2016. Her father, Joseph, is an attorney and continues to practice law at the age of 84. Joanna is married and has two children and five grandchildren. Joanna and her husband came back to Monterey after he completed active duty in the Army. He is originally from Texas and fell in love with the Monterey Peninsula. “We both wanted to be near parents so that our children could have the joy of knowing their grandparents.”
Joanna attended Monterey Peninsula College and then transferred to San Jose State where she earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies and then went on to complete her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. She has continued her education earning additional college credits to keep current on teaching practices and curriculum. Her current teaching assignment is at Monte Vista Elementary School in Monterey. Coincidentally, Joanna attended this school (so did I!), her children were students there, AND her mother taught there for over 20 years. She teaches 5th grade and has been teaching for 25 years.
Joanna’s favorite aspect of teaching is helping her students learn and take ownership of their learning. She explains how seeing the look on a student’s face when understanding happens is such a reward. She not only enjoys the relationship with her students but with her colleagues. “Teaching is not just about learning the curriculum, but it is giving them life skills to help them navigate in the years beyond being in my class. I want them to leave with confidence in who they are and what they can do.”
Joanna’s biggest challenge in teaching has been the pace at which students are expected to learn. She explains, “High expectations are good for students, but when we are asking them to be pushed beyond what they are ready for, it creates frustration, and they are not able to learn.” Joanna states that technology is extremely beneficial, but it also can be a barrier to learning if students cannot think on their own. “The other piece that comes into play is that so many of our students come to us broken and as teachers, we are expected to be all things to all students. Teachers do their very best to ensure that all students have what they need to be successful, but it is difficult when students are in need of so many things.”
Joanna recently received the Monterey County Teacher of the Year award. She also won the Who Award, which is given to teachers by the teacher’s union and the CTA, recognizing teachers who have helped uphold other educators. Despite this recognition, Joanna believes that her most significant achievement in her teaching career is her students. “At the end of every year, as they walk out of my classroom for the last time, I am so honored and proud to have been their teacher and so excited to know that they have the skills and knowledge to carry them through not only sixth grade but throughout the years they have ahead. Knowing that I have instilled in them a greater sense of confidence and acceptance of who they are and what they can be if they work hard and do their best is my greatest achievement.”
JooLee Satchell
JooLee Satchell and I first met while attending classes at California State University Monterey Bay. JooLee, a native of Marina is now married with two children. I asked her why she remained here on the Peninsula, “My husband and I both decided that we want to stay in the Monterey County for the foreseeable future because we love the weather, we love our careers, and we feel that it’s a great place for our children to grow up.”
JooLee received her Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies in 2002 and her multiple subject teaching credential with a supplemental authorization in mathematics, in 2003. Her current position is with the Salinas Union High School District at Washington Middle School. Last school year she taught Common Core 7 Math, completing her 15th year of full-time teaching.
I questioned JooLee about what she enjoys the most about teaching. “The best thing is passing on knowledge to others and shaping the minds of our future.” JooLee’s biggest challenge is differentiating her instruction to meet the needs of all students. “The range in my classes can be quite large to where I have mainstream and GATE students, but also have English Learners and special education students. Meeting their needs can be quite difficult.”
JooLee has taken on additional duties throughout the years such as collaborative facilitator, co-department chair, and other various committees. She has completed many different professional developments and participated in and hosted learning walks for which she has been recognized for at district board meetings. One of her most rewarding achievements is that some of her former students have chosen to become teachers and even join her by teaching in the same district!
I asked what advice JooLee could give to people interested in a career in education. “One piece of advice that I would give is to have patience. At times, it can become very stressful and overwhelming, but with patience, it can be resolved and is a rewarding career”.
Ruben Yanez
Ruben Yanez was born in Central California but raised in a small town in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico. He was two years old when his parents decided to move back to Mexico where he stayed until the age of fifteen. Ruben’s wife is from Monterey County, and they have two small children and are expecting their third child in November. He attended California State University Monterey Bay from 1999-2001, along with JooLee and myself, and earned his B.A. in Liberal Studies as well as a Multiple Subject Credential with an emphasis in Spanish (BCLAD) along with an English Language Arts Certification. Ruben holds a Masters in Educational Leadership from San Jose State University.
Ruben is a teacher at Washington Middle School in Salinas. His current assignment is 7th-8th grade Language Arts teacher and AVID Coordinator. This fall will mark the beginning of his sixteenth year in education. When asked what he enjoys most about teaching, “I work mostly with struggling learners that are two or more grades below grade level, and even though it is extremely challenging, I feel honored to be able to work with them and help them acquire the necessary skills to be successful in high school and beyond.” Another reason Ruben enjoys teaching is he feels very strongly that by educating and empowering his students, he has a positive impact on their families’ lives and the communities in which they live.
One of the most significant challenges Ruben faces each day is having to find novel ways to inspire those students who seem to have given up on their ability to be successful in school. It is worth the struggle, in the end, to see his students succeed. “Having current and former students and their families come to visit and acknowledge that I have made an impact on their lives is priceless!”
Ruben shared some advice for those debating on whether or not to enter the teaching pathway. “Find your passion because once you do, you will enjoy everything that comes with the profession. Be proud of the fact that you are responsible for shaping the lives of your students and their families as well. Acknowledge that teaching is going to be difficult and exhausting at times, but make sure you seek out support when needed and always make time to take care of yourself mentally and physically.”