Teacher name: Monica Lee.
Location: Oak Hills High School in Hesperia for Desert/Mountain Operations.
Number of years teaching:
15 years.
What made you decide to be a teacher: My nephew Andrew. He was born with cerebral palsy, visual impairments and severe intellectual impairments. We were 10 years apart and my mom raised him. I remember my mom being frustrated with the lack of care he was receiving at school, and I wanted to grow up and be the kind of teacher who parents could trust and count on.
Teaching philosophy: I truly believe that if a student doesn’t trust and feel safe with you, then they won’t work for you. In order to gain a student’s trust, you first have to learn about who they are. Knowing about a student’s likes/dislikes, family, pets, favorite foods, toys, etc., is vital when teaching. When a student realizes you understand who they are and what makes them happy or sad, then they will usually try their best for you.
Describe what takes place in your classroom or location: My classroom is a moderate/severe high school class, and our main focus is on preparing our students for life beyond high school. We do a lot of community-based instruction, vocational tasks in the classroom, and some students participate in the Workability program and go work at Rue 21 in Hesperia. Along with this, we have a lot of fun at our site. We have weekly dance parties, play bingo for prizes and do Zumba!
Most valuable contribution to students: My most valuable contribution to my students is my ability to see beyond their disability. I see what they can do already and build on those strengths, and then together we just keep on building and building.
What have your students taught you: The most important thing my students have taught me is to just go with the flow of life and not be so rigid and needing of control. When teaching special students, each day is different based on the moods and temperament of the students. Because of this, I have learned to be flexible, more easy-going, and accepting. Life for me is easier because of these lessons, and I owe that to my students.