Known for their positive relationships with students and adults, consistent excellence, and experts in instructional materials, Spanish Lake Elementary teachers Nayeli Quintana and Christina Herrera were honored as the school’s 2017 Teacher and Rookie Teacher of the Year, respectively.
Quintana arrived from Cuba in the fifth grade with no knowledge of the English language, but her perseverance paid off. In 1993, she graduated from Hialeah High with top honors, a scholarship to continue her education, and a wedding ring.
Due to a heart condition, Quintana’s first daughter required attention and medical care which elongated Quintana’s graduation from Florida International University, but she nonetheless completed her studies, once again with top honors, with two bachelors degrees in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education K-6.
Quintana is driven by the words of Nelson Mandela, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” She lives by these words with high expectations for each child in her class - no matter their background or limitations - to succeed and she insures that they do. In addition to classroom responsibilities, she serves as SLE’s Science Coach and serves on numerous committees.
Rookie Teacher of the Year, Christina Herrera, is an accomplished ballerina and instructor for the SLE Rubies Dance Team. She dreamed of becoming a teacher at a young age and would teach her dolls as though in a classroom. Her dream of education was postponed as she pursued nursing. While teaching ballet, however, she realized her inspiration came from teaching students.
Herrera changed her major to education and graduated from St. Thomas University with her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Education. She presently is completing her specialist’s degree at Nova Southeastern University in educational leadership.
She is dedicated to her work and is committed with the desire to grow. Herrera possesses the unique ability to relate in a positive way with her students, staff, and parents and the relationships she builds with all are essential to her role as a teacher. Herrera believes, “Teachers who love teaching, teach children to love learning.”