Lilibeth Bravo knew she wanted to be a teacher when she was in the sixth grade.

“I was inspired by my sixth-grade teacher, Mrs. Carrie Jones,” said Bravo, who will teach Dual Language History, as well as Spanish, for grades 6-8 this year at Denair Middle School. “She helped all of the students; she included everyone and cared for everyone. Most of all, she always motivated us, and she made us feel like we could accomplish things. She really inspired me. I knew that I wanted to be an example for others.

Bravo, like so many first-time teachers, is excited and nervous about the first day of school.

“I can’t wait to meet students and families,” said Bravo, who was born and raised in Modesto and now resides in Turlock. “I’m excited not just to teach them, but to learn from them, too. I think it’s important to learn from students and families. We can’t teach them if we don’t know what they value or what their culture is.”

Here are some other things to know about Lilibeth Bravo.

Family members: I have a 6-year-old son and my life partner who always fill me with love and support.

Educational background: I went to Thomas Downey High School, and I graduated from Modesto Junior College and Stanislaus State with a degree in liberal studies. I am currently enrolled at San Jose State University, pursuing a master’s in instructional technology.

Subject/grades taught at Denair: I will be teaching Dual Language History and Spanish.

What attracted you to Denair? What attracted me to Denair was its community-focused environment and its support for bilingual education. I like that it is a district where teachers can build meaningful relationships with both students and their families.

What most inspires you about teaching? Helping students learn and grow. I want students to feel safe and supported. My goal is to help students see that they are capable of learning by helping them build their confidence and valuing their strengths.

What is a challenge you look forward to tackling this year? I look forward to tackling challenges that come with being a new teacher. I am looking forward to learning, growing, and becoming the best educator I can be for my students.

What is a favorite teaching tool or activity? A favorite teaching activity of mine is hands-on learning. Hands-on activities give students the opportunity to explore the lesson while staying actively engaged.

What do you want your students to remember? I want students to remember they are important and able to achieve anything they set their minds to. I want them to remember that they will always have my support; and they will always have a classroom where they feel safe, valued, and loved – a place where both their strengths and weaknesses matter.

What can parents do to support you? Parents can support me by reaching out at any time to share any concerns or ideas they may have. They can also encourage their child to do their best and support classroom expectations. I believe working together can help the students be successful.

What’s something that would surprise people about your job? I think people would be surprised that even though lessons are planned, teachers often have to make quick adjustments in the moment to meet their students’ needs.

What do you do for fun? I love spending time with my family. I enjoy having ice cream and playing board games. I also enjoy exercising, running, shopping, and buying plants.

One interesting, little-known fact about me is … I collect Mini Brands Plants.