2021 Extraordinary Educators: Gina Sanchez

Great communities have great schools. High Point Schools Partnership creates impactful connections between our schools and the wider community to ensure students and their families are supported and can reach their full potential in High Point schools.

Part of High Point Schools Partnerships’ mission is to improve the image of our schools through storytelling. Who better to tell the stories of High Point’s schools than the people experiencing it first-hand? In this series of eight articles, we will highlight our 2021 High Point Extraordinary Educators as we dive deeper into what keeps them motivated in the face of constant challenges.

Gina Sanchez

Gina Sanchez started working at Oak View Elementary a little more than 9 years ago. She started as an Office Support assistant with 3 girls in the school. After moving to High Point from Puerto Rico, Oak View has been a part of her and her family’s lives.

Deanna Daniel, former principal of Oak View Elementary, describes “the level of expectation and belief in students” that Ms.Sanchez exudes in her classroom. She is “Committed, Hard-Working” and has a “Growth-Minded”.

According to Daniel, during remote learning, Ms. Sanchez “gladly provided instruction for both classrooms”, in person and remote, “without being asked to do so by administration.” 

Ms.Sanchez wants her students to know “they are so important to our community and world and that they are so loved and appreciated.”

She goes on to say, “Over the years I have met teachers and staff that genuinely love the students and teaching. The students I have met at Oak View are so precious and loving and I enjoy watching them grow at Oak View.”

Q: What inspired you to become an educator?

A: As a volunteer, substitute, and kindergarten TA I have worked with many extraordinary teachers that inspired me to become a teacher myself. My own three daughters played a big role as well. They have had great and inspiring teachers and that made me think about the importance of how teachers impact children’s lives.

Q: What’s your teaching/leadership style?

A: I believe that I am energetic and passionate in the classroom. I love to feel the energy of my students as I am teaching. I want them to feel as passionate about learning as I am about teaching.

Q: Do you have a classroom motto or philosophy you abide by? Why?

A: My personal philosophy is to be a person in the classroom that students can trust and count on. I want them to know that I love them.

Q: What’s your favorite part about every day?

A: To me, the best part is when I see and hear students coming together and talking to each other whether it’s about their day, things they like, or things that we have learned in the classroom. Some of the things they say are so funny and cute.

Q: What’s your most memorable moment as an educator?

A: The most memorable moments for me are of the students that I have taught that have moved on to other grades but always greet me with so much love and enthusiasm each time they see me. It makes me feel like I really had an impact on their lives.

Ms.Sanchez is just one of High Point’s 2021 Extraordinary Educators. Tune in for the next few weeks to hear more stories and critical moments from our local teachers!

Thank you so much to Gina Sanchez for your dedication to High Point’s students. Congratulations on being selected as your school’s 2021 Extraordinary Educator!

To find out more about High Point Schools Partnership and our work, please visit our Facebook page and check out our page on Guilford Education Alliance’s website.

Article written by High Point Schools Partnership Staff