Yaritza Walker

Tell us why you became a teacher

My Aunt was a teacher and when I went to visit her in Panama over the summer, she would take me with her. As a student I would help my peers with concepts they struggled with. While in college, I was asked to elect a major and teaching was the only major that meet the goals on my vision board to be a happy adult. Here I am 25 years at the same school and I happily teach fourth grade students with Autism.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable teaching experience is my 2019-2020 school year. I was assigned to teach a self contained class of 4th grade students with Autism. Before that, I was an ESE teacher that provided specialized instruction in a co teaching class. I was assigned to the class because the PTA gave me a superlative of "Patience of a Saint". My very first ASD class was memorable because it was my first year with a class of this demographic while it was a global pandemic.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would pay off a chunk of my mortgage because I am nearly finished. I would use the rest to have a 50th celebration with my 3 boys and family members because I was not able to do so last year.