As Selma starts to expand, many new teachers join the bear family, and some even come back. After a year of teaching at Kerman an opportunity opened up for Mrs. Quintanilla to come back to the town of Selma.
Of course with the excitement of reconnecting not only with faculty but with the students, bittersweet feelings tend to take over. There were countless memories that were made in Kerman, many students found comfort and a reliable person to talk to with Mrs. Quintanilla. There were many times when students would reach out to her because she would always make it a point to show her value in connections with students.
Mrs Quintanilla has become a prominent figure in the lives of many students, as she continues her career she makes it a point to strive for more to help further impact her community for the better.
“I think every student in any school needs to have at least that one adult on campus if they can go to so I strive to be that but, if I’m not that for them I encourage them to find somebody else,” said Mrs. Quintanilla. Sometimes life will take you in unexpected directions, even when you feel that your life is meant to go one way, you may end up in a completely different area in life. Mrs. Quintanilla originally wanted to be a detective, and went to school to study criminology. However, being a teacher was always in the back of Mrs. Quintanilla’s mind. She realized she had a unique talent for connecting and building relationships with not only students but people in general.
”I just feel like kids need someone who is very understanding and supportive,“ said Mrs. Quintanilla.
Mrs. Quintanilla aims to make a positive impact in the lives of many students whether that is by offering a shoulder to lean on or helping students find value in what they do. It is obvious that even though Mrs. Quintanilla wasn’t able to follow through with the original plan, her effort to connect with students one on one and form strong, true connections with them, providing them with guidance and support highlights her dedication in helping them in their voyage that is life.
Mrs. Quintanilla is dedicated and passionate in what she does, she wants to help others be able to achieve their dreams and aspirations, always being willing to lend a helping hand so that her students can access the necessary opportunities they need to make their dreams a reality
“That is my goal to try to help them learn what it takes to believe in themselves as well, but to also do better for themselves, and get out of ELD class. So that they can have more opportunities,”expressed Mrs. Quintanilla.
In her eyes each and everyone of her students has the same chances of making their dreams become their reality.
Throughout her countless years of teaching Mrs. Quintanilla has seen many students, and heard many different stories from these individuals. By learning from various diverse experiences she is able to offer more effective support for each of her students. Mrs Quintanilla is ready to lend a helping hand whenever she is needed, with her passion to help others and passion for what she does, she wants to let students know that students will be in a safe space when talking with her.
