EDUCATION
Justin Price A+ CHARTER SCHOOLS 11th and 12th grade government and economics Teacher since: 2011
What do you enjoy about teaching? Teaching juniors and seniors is always fun because it’s right before they step into adulthood, so it’s like that last final moment that you have to work with them to get the light bulb to go off or for them to realize some things before adulting really smacks them in the face. Who inspired you to become a teacher? The most inspirational teacher would be Mrs. Schlabach. It was a small high school, so she was my Spanish, English and yearbook teacher. She really opened my eyes to a lot of different things in the world, including how to think and to think bigger than yourself.
Katia Cameros BUTTERFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 1st grade Student teacher
Kaitlyn Erick BUTTERFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kindergarten Teacher since: 2023
Leilani Escalade A+ CHARTER SCHOOLS Algebra 1 and geometry Teacher since: 2026
Kayla Neider LEADING EDGE ACADEMY 5th grade social students and English language arts Teacher since: 2016
What do you enjoy about teaching? As a student teacher working toward becoming a first-grade teacher, I look forward to helping young students build their confidence and discover their love for learning. I hope to create a classroom where every student feels safe, supported and encouraged. I understand how meaningful it is to have a teacher who believes in you and I hope to be that kind of teacher for my students. Who inspired you to become a teacher? My third-grade teacher, Mr. Wyant. As an English Language Learner, he made me feel comfortable, supported and confident in myself as a student. He always made me feel like it was OK to ask questions, make mistakes and take my time learning new things. I realize how much that meant to me, and it is something I hope to carry with me into my own classroom.
What do you enjoy about teaching? I get to teach little humans how to be themselves in a school setting and seeing them start off with knowing only a little bit to them going off to first grade and knowing so much more. Who inspired you to become a teacher? Ever since I was little, I always wanted to be a teacher; however, the teacher from when I was in school who inspired me to become an educator was Aidan Balt. She was my senior year English language arts teacher. She truly made the class memorable and fun when we were there, but she also made sure that we were truly learning to our full potential.
What do you enjoy about teaching? In high school, I just loved math. The equations and numbers all made sense, and there were rules and structure to follow. When I did student teaching in college, I was always in algebra, so I felt this is where I was supposed to be. Who inspired you to become a teacher? I’ve wanted to be a teacher since I was 4-years- old. My preschool and kindergarten teachers, Miss Patinkin and Miss Tucker, always told me I was good at reading, so I would help my little brother read when I got home. I was a teacher’s pet in every class and I just wanted to help as much as I could.
What do you enjoy about teaching? I enjoy working with kids, but I think connecting their home life and education is so important because I’ve seen what really inspires kids to take education seriously. So, I enjoy connecting with families and inspiring families to get involved with their kids’ education. Who inspired you to become a teacher? My grandmother was a special education educator, but I think specifically, my inspiration came from my fourth grade teacher, Miss Tanner. I really struggled with reading, but she saw I had a lot of energy and was really talkative as a kid, so she helped me channel that energy into my writing. I loved the way she saw me and my strengths, and helped me bring those out in her class.
InMaricopa.com | November 2026
November 2026 | InMaricopa.com
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