My name is Monica Camarillo, and I have been a Pinecrest teacher for seventeen years.  I am the second-grade teacher at our Canyon Country location.  I attended L.A. Mission College and Antelope Valley College to receive my Child Development certificate.  Later, I attended the University of La Verne to complete my degree in Liberal Studies.  In my younger days, I was trained as a medical assist and L.V.N.

When I am not teaching, I enjoy being with my family and friends.  I have been married for 30 years to my husband Joe, and I have three children Amanda, Adriana, and Joey and three beautiful grand babies, Gabriel, Elijah, and Scarlett.  We love to go camping whenever we can get away.  When I’m not with my family having fun, I also love to garden, scrapbook, crochet, play guitar, and absolutely love to read!

I believe that all children should be able to learn in a safe and comfortable environment.  They should be able to feel that school, and their classroom is a place of security in which they come to learn, create, and discover.  I believe that all students can learn, but not in the same way.  I believe that if you create an environment for all types of students, such as auditory, visual, and hands on, then the chances are that every child in your classroom will have an opportunity to learn in a way that best suits them.  I believe that all teachers should take pride in even the smallest achievements.

I love that as a teacher I can still take time to show my students how to learn using differentiated styles of teaching.  We still can do hands-on activities that help the child learn.  We still have the arts pin our program, and I believe they are a very important part of education.  Most of all I remember the many smiles I have received from my students.

The most memorable and profound moment as an educator was when I was nominated and asked to join the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.  This is a worldwide group of teachers who join to help our community.  We might help out at the Ronald McDonald House in Pasadena, or mentor a student, who may need a role model to follow to gain a positive outlook on life.  We do many things.  I also love when I see a student who I have had in the past come back after graduating high school and tell me they are doing well out there in the world.  It’s an awesome feeling to know you had a part in the education and upbringing of a child.  It’s also an amazing honor when they come back after many years to say, “thank you.”

mcamarillo@pinecrestschools.com