In her 23 years as a public school teacher, Nancy Mesa has
witnessed a few changes: Scholastic standards have risen, teachers
have come and gone, and student penmanship has suffered.
In her 23 years as a public school teacher, Nancy Mesa has witnessed a few changes: Scholastic standards have risen, teachers have come and gone, and student penmanship has suffered. But the one thing that never has faltered is the sense of satisfaction that washes over her every time one of her students “got it.”
“Some people view it as just going to work,” said the Rod Kelley Elementary School fourth grade teacher, children’s artwork and assignments strewn about her. “But I love what I do. Being with my kids every day, challenging them, waiting for that light bulb to go on – it’s so satisfying to see kids feel good about what they’re doing.”
Mesa’s dedication to students earned her one of 30 “Teacher of the Year” awards given out by the Santa Clara County Office of Education this year.
She joined public school teachers of every grade and subject to accept the award from the county and state superintendents last week at the 40th annual Teacher Recognition Ceremony at the Heritage Theatre in Campbell – the oldest and largest of its kind in California.
“Being selected as (the school district’s) Teacher of the Year is quite an honor,” Mesa said. “It’s an affirmation of years of hard work and dedication to my students. I’m also truly blessed to work with such an outstanding team of teachers.”
For Mesa, her classroom isn’t just where she works every day – it’s a stage worthy of a great production.
“I’m known to be a little dramatic and over the top,” Mesa said, her blue eyes sparkling. “You have to be vivacious to keep their attention.”
With waning attention spans and more distractions to compete with, Mesa said she’s noticed a decrease in student creativity. With no brothers or sisters of her own, Mesa let her imagination run wild as a child. She spent her summers roaming Yosemite National Park, and the remainder of the year in Santa Monica looking forward to summer.
Yosemite was a special place for her, encapsulated by the wry wisdom of her family friend when asked what to do at Yosemite if a person only had one day there: “Sit down and cry because you only have one day.”
And she made sure she had more than just a few days there, as what seemed like endless childhood summers eventually gave way to a two-year ranger position spent patrolling Crane Flat as a teen.
After attending Santa Monica College and graduating from California State University, Stanislaus, with her teaching credential, Mesa went right to work, securing a job at South Valley Middle School. She later worked at Glen View Elementary School before landing at Rod Kelley.
Mesa said she’s still learning all 120 names of this year’s batch of students, but she’ll never forget a face. Running into a former student at the grocery store – a common occurrence in a small town like Gilroy – or seeing one of her “babies” rise to success are among Mesa’s most rewarding experiences.
“That’s when I know I’ve made a difference,” she said.
Christopher High School Principal John Perales is one of many students whose life she changed. Perales remembered trying Mesa’s nerves a few times as an eighth grader.
“I refused to read fiction,” he said. “I threw a big fit.”
Even though Perales still doesn’t read fiction – “because it’s fake,” he said – he remembered how Mesa managed to coax him into reading a few good stories.
“She was very passionate and cared a lot about us,” he said. “She was very dedicated to making sure we were off to high school OK.”
Among accomplishments at Rod Kelley that Mesa has helped achieve are recent gains on state tests and making of non-native English speakers become proficient in English.
“Mrs. Mesa epitomizes the ideal teacher – she’s dedicated to her profession, her students and the school,” said Rod Kelley Principal Luis Carillo, who nominated Mesa for the award. “She is a real asset to Rod Kelley.”
When she’s not in the classroom, Mesa’s at home in Hollister, practicing the cello – she’s been playing since she was a fourth grader – or with her husband honing their skills as amateur wine makers.
“That’s what I’m doing any time I’m not here at school,” she said, rubbing her shoulders, still sore from the previous weekend when she crushed a half ton of zinfandel grapes. “I hope to open a winery when I retire.”
But retirement’s still a ways off for the energetic 44-year-old, who has become a bit of a team mom to her fellow fourth grade teachers.
“Working with the kids keeps me young,” she said.
