
We are delighted to announce our January 2025 Teacher of the Month! Esmeralda Gómez is a fourth- and fifth-grade teacher at Marshall Elementary School. We are honored to recognize Esmeralda for her unwavering dedication to her students, school, and community!
When one student was facing a tough time with his emotions due to changes at school, Ms. Gómez stepped in to nurture his creativity and help him shine in leadership roles. For instance, when he mentioned his idea of handing out golden tickets to his classmates, she quickly recognized his potential and entrusted him with that important task, believing in his ability to make great choices.
When the school found itself short on a fifth-grade teacher six weeks into the year, she jumped into action, collaborating tirelessly with the two fourth-grade teachers to make a meaningful change at Marshall. She thoughtfully combined the fourth and fifth grades into three classes, ensuring that the fifth-graders had the support they needed. This meant adapting to teaching both grades together and increasing class sizes from 21 to 28 students, all while taking a lead role alongside her newer colleagues. This highlights her incredible dedication and deep care for the community, as she took on this extra responsibility to support her students during a challenging time.
This year, Ms. Gómez also conducted a creative art lesson focused on skin color, celebrating the diversity of our school and the unique differences that make her classes so special. Ms. Gómez is committed, organized, and kind, preparing her students for middle school so they can truly excel when they get there.
Meet other Teacher of the Month awardees, and nominate a special SFUSD teacher in your life.