Appreciated Teacher: Alita Mathews

Teaches: K-1 (Mixed kindergarten and first grade)

Nominated by: Celeste Winders

"Alita Mathews honestly one of the most amazing teachers I have ever had the privilege of knowing. I feel honored and lucky that my son [Nasir] was able to learn from her, not only in kindergarten but also in first grade."

"She is so full of creative energy, and so patient, kind and loving; I just don't know how she does it every day.  She takes the time to get to know her students and find out the way each child learns best, and then adapts the lessons so that all the children understand and enjoy the subject.  She helps each child always feel good about him/herself and focuses on the positives all the time.  She teaches them with fun projects and makes learning exciting."

"My son adored her last year, and the year before, and she made a huge impact on his life and school experience.  She is a gifted teacher and she has so much to give and teach. I honestly feel like everyone could learn from her, not just the children.  She was born to be a teacher and it shows... I feel so blessed to have had her in my child's life."

Her Secret?

In her fifth year teaching at Dunbar Elementary, Alita Mathews has no plans for a career change.  "I always knew that I wanted to work with kids," says Mathews. As a student, an internship at solidified her plans: "It just fit, it felt really great, so I just continued with that." After graduating, she earned a degree from Sonoma State, a teaching credential and set out for a career in her hometown.

Though pleasureable, the job is demanding. Good teachers need, "flexibility, for sure and patience," says Mathews. "Just a general curiosity about children - how they work, what they enjoy - and going with that flow."

Still, Mathews loves going to work. "No matter how you're feeling as soon as the kids come in with their smiles and their energy it brightens up your day - and it never fails," she says.