The California League of Middle Schools honored Sunrise teacher Jose Quintero as Region 5 Teacher of the Year last night. He was one of numerous nominees from the 4-county region of Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito. He’ll next compete for statewide Teacher of the Year in Long Beach, March 6-7. He is the first Sunrise teacher to receive this honor.

Mr. Quintero was nominated for his many attributes as 8th grade math teacher. Year after year, his students demonstrate significant academic progress on the state test, evidence of his profound influence on their learning. He also serves as lead 8th grade teacher, stays after school to tutor students, attends his students’ games, writes numerous letters of recommendations to high schools and is offering new accordion and robotics electives.

But in the end, it was Mr. Quinteros speech that swept both the judges and the crowd. With clarity and courage, he celebrated Sunrise while also challenging aspects of the Administration’s education policies.

“Now, more than ever, our students must be more than just academically competent,” he said. “It is time now for our students to be socially aware and to be given the opportunity to be leaders of a movement grounded in empathy and justice. The antithesis of our current President and his administration. And that’s what Sunrise Middle School is all about. That is our North Star.”

Mr. Quintero is in his fifth year of teaching at Sunrise: “I’m teaching an advanced math class filled with students just like me: first-generation, children of immigrants, carrying the weight of their families’ hopes while trying to solve for x. I see their brilliance every day, even when they doubt it themselves. And my job, my purpose, is to remind them that they belong in every future they choose.”

Many congratulations, Mr. Quintero! We are fortunate to have you here!