Payne Teacher Honored with Esperanza Award

Payne Teacher Honored with Esperanza Award

     Ruby Huesca, an extraordinary Dual Immersion Transitional Kindergarten Teacher at Payne Elementary School is Mountain View School District’s 2020 Bobby Salcedo Esperanza Award recipient.  Ruby was honored during the El Monte Promise Foundation's 17th Annual Virtual Tamalada Gala held on December 11. The Esperanza award acknowledges outstanding educators who exemplify the life and legacy of respected teacher and administrator Bobby Salcedo, including a tireless commitment to education and the students and community they serve.

     Ruby has deep roots in El Monte and is a proud product of the Mountain View School District having attended Maxson School, Kranz Intermediate and El Monte High School.  She has been an integral member of the Mountain View team for 30 years, serving as an Instructional Assistant and Head Start Teacher prior to becoming an elementary school teacher where she’s inspired students for the past 22 years.  As a homegrown educator, Ruby understands the critical role educators play in a child’s life.  She chose to come back to El Monte to teach in the community she grew up in and is a tremendous role model for students. 

     “Ruby is so valuable to our school, said Dr. Hugo Moreno, Payne School Principal. “She is very committed and knows the needs of the community well and places their needs above her own.  She always goes above and beyond to provide the best for our students and through her actions she is empowering future generations.”

     In addition to her exceptional teaching, Ruby lends her expertise to several committees, projects and programs at her school and throughout the District.  She has served as a Mentor Teacher, Administrative Designee, English Language Learner Liaison, Positive Behavioral Interventions Support (PBIS) Coach, SST Coordinator, Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) Coordinator, Family Biliteracy Teacher, School Site Council Member, Teachers’ Association Member At Large, Camp Mt. View Director, volunteer coach for Students Run Los Angeles (SRLA), Migrant Education Teacher, Sobrato Early Academic Language (SEAL) Teacher, DrumFit Lead Teacher, Journalism Program Coach, and is part of the Bilingual Teacher Professional Development Project (BTPDP), the Technology Integrated Learning & Teaching (TILT) program and Teaching English Learners Through the Arts (TELA). 

      “Ruby goes above and beyond every day to serve her students, families and the community she grew up in,” said Lillian Maldonado French, MVSD Superintendent.   “Her tireless effort and servant’s heart are greatly appreciated, and her advocacy for students is commendable.  Ruby is one of the most dedicated and talented teachers in the District and very deserving of the Esperanza Award.  We are so fortunate to have her on our team.”

        Ruby believes deeply in the Mountain View School District and its schools and is proud that her children have also attended MVSD schools.  She appreciates her colleagues who inspire her daily and truly is someone who embodies the best El Monte has.

        “I teach to give back.  I’m so proud to be an El Monte girl and I love teaching in the Mountain View School District and supporting the children and families in the community,” said Huesca.

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