Ramina Isaac immigrated to the U.S. from Iran when she was just a teenager.

“It was very difficult,” said Isaac, who was born Tehran, the Iranian capital. “It was definitely a culture shock.”

She settled with her family in Chicago – hardly knowing a single word of English – and moved to the Central Valley just in time to start eighth grade at Somerset Middle School in Modesto.

“Six months later, I was a semifinalist in a speech competition,” said Isaac, who will teach eighth-grade math and Math 1 at DUSD during the 2026-27 school year. 

Isaac believes her immigrant story gives her a unique foundation to assist Denair Unified School District’s diverse student body.

Here are a few other things you might not know about Isaac.

Family members: Husband Lenard Isaac, children Danielle, Andrew, and Matthew, dog Milo and cat Whiskey.

Educational background: A bachelor’s degree in marketing – with a minor in computer information systems – and a master’s degree in secondary education from California State University, Stanislaus.

Previous teaching jobs: Six years at Dos Palos High School, two years at Whitmore Charter Middle School, two years at Salida Middle School, five years at Aspire Vanguard College Preparatory.

What attracted you to Denair? The opportunity to make a difference in student lives. Also,

I live in Turlock, so Denair is close to my home. My brother-in-law was a groundskeeper a long time ago at DUSD. He passed away about 20 years ago; I am honored to walk in his footsteps.

What most inspires you about teaching? The opportunity to make a lasting impact on someone’s life. Helping people understand a difficult concept, build confidence in their abilities, and discover their potential is incredibly rewarding. I enjoy creating an environment where students feel encouraged to ask questions, think critically, and continue learning. Knowing that even a small lesson or moment of encouragement can influence someone’s future is what makes teaching so meaningful to me.

What is a challenge you look forward to tackling this year?  Finding new ways to engage every student and meet them where they are academically and personally. Every class is unique, and I enjoy adapting my teaching strategies to help students stay motivated, build confidence, and reach their full potential. I also look forward to continuing to grow as an educator by learning new instructional techniques and creating a classroom environment where every student feels supported, challenged, and excited to learn. 

What is a favorite teaching tool or activity? Student-to-student collaboration. It takes the weight off of me by having the students work on the math problems at hand through collaboration.

What do you want your students to remember? More than any single lesson, I want my students to remember how they felt in my classroom. I want them to remember that they were respected, encouraged, and capable of achieving more than they thought possible. I hope they leave with confidence in themselves, a curiosity to keep learning, and the understanding that mistakes are a natural part of growth. If my students remember that they had a teacher who believed in them and inspired them to do their best, I will consider that a success.

What can parents do to support you? Maintain open communication and partner with me in their child’s education. Encouraging consistent attendance, reinforcing the importance of completing assignments, and showing interest in what their child is learning can make a significant difference. I also appreciate when parents share any concerns or important information early so we can work together to help their child succeed. When teachers and families collaborate, students are more confident, engaged, and successful.

What’s something that would surprise people about your job? I think many people would be surprised by how much happens outside the classroom. Teaching involves much more than delivering lessons; it includes planning engaging activities, grading assignments, communicating with families, analyzing student progress, and continually adapting instruction to meet the needs of every learner. It’s a job that requires creativity, patience, flexibility, and a genuine commitment to helping students succeed both academically and personally.

What do you do for fun? Latin and country line dancing. I teach adults how to dance, as well.

A little-known fact about me is … I am fluent in three languages, one of which is a 6,700-year-old language known as Aramaic.