Stapp Inspires Educator Spotlight – A Teacher For The Generations

Welcome back, thanks for checking out our little corner of the world. Every month we highlight an educator in St. Vrain Valley Schools. One who is making a positive impact on those around them. We have been on this journey for two and a half years now, and it has been a privilege to bring their stories to you. This month we are excited to highlight José Quezoda, World Language Teacher at Skyline High School. 

 

José has been teaching within St. Vrain Valley Schools for 24 years – the last 13 years at Skyline High School. His classes include Spanish and AP Spanish. He might be a high school teacher right now, but that hasn’t always been the case. At certain times in his career he could be found in a kindergarten classroom or in a middle school math class. You don’t often find a teacher and think, “Yes, I can see you teaching and having a positive impact no matter what level you are teaching.” 

 

In talking with José you quickly discover how one person could be a great teacher no matter what classroom they are in. José puts an emphasis on building and maintaining relationships with his students and their families. He spoke passionately about the joy he gets from being with his students, helping them embrace multiple cultures. He spoke of a time when he taught English as a second language through Adult Education classes. Teaching students and their parents at the same time. He laughed as he said, “I had parents tell their kids, you better do well because Mr. Quezoda is a great teacher.”

 

We asked José what took him from the elementary level to the high school level. His answer was simple, yet powerful. “As a young teacher, I started in secondary grades, but quickly realized I needed to develop my skills as an educator. Moving to elementary grades allowed me to do that and gain confidence. I began to see a need in my community for a Hispanic male role model in the schools. That is when I decided to pursue a teaching position within a high school.” 

 

He saw students struggling to engage with their learning and knew that he had the power to make a difference in his community. He sees the potential in his students and pushes them to excel. This relationship doesn’t end once a student graduates – most of his students are in his class for three years. Students actively seek José out to update him on their lives. More than once he has had a former student tell him he couldn’t retire until their child had been in his class. 

 

José, thank you for taking the time to meet with us. It was an honor to meet you and we wish you every success in the future. To our readers, thank you for joining us every month. We hope you will come back next month.