Erin Lewis, an exceptional teacher at Maxson Elementary School was honored as Mountain View School District’s 2023 Bobby Salcedo Esperanza Award recipient. Lewis was presented her well-deserved award at the El Monte Promise Foundation's 20th Annual Tamalada Gala held on December 7. The Esperanza award acknowledges outstanding educators who exemplify the life and legacy of respected teacher and administrator Bobby Salcedo, including a tireless commitment to education and the students and community they serve.

Lewis has been an educator for 28 years, 24 of those years as an integral member of the Mountain View School District. She currently teaches a transitional kindergarten through third grade Special Day Class (SDC) at Maxson where she provides extraordinary instruction and inspiration for her young students with special needs. Her classroom is a place where students feel safe and nurtured, and every wall is adorned with wonderful student work, boasting pride for their efforts. Her innovative and engaging lessons ignite a spark in her students each day.

A strong advocate for her students, Lewis strives to bring out the best in each one of them. She works tirelessly designing innovative, engaging, and exciting lessons that are individually tailored to each of her students and encourages them to set and reach new goals. She is their biggest cheerleader and celebrates their successes alongside them. She is truly a special teacher and her passion for providing the best for her students and empowering them to achieve is evident in everything she does. Each year she builds positive and successful relationships with the parents of her students, encouraging their partnership in learning and empowering them to support their children’s education and development. Her impact on her students and their families is immeasurable.

“We are extremely proud to honor Erin Lewis as our Bobby Salcedo Esperanza Award winner this year,” said Dr. Raymond Andry, MVSD Superintendent. “Erin is an incredible human being and a tremendous role model for all teachers on how to engage and inspire students. She embodies passion, inspiration, empathy, and empowerment in her classroom each day, and her expertise, professionalism, dedication, insight, and deep care for her students, their learning and well-being make her an ideal recipient of the Bobby Salcedo Esperanza Award,” he added.

Lewis believes every child has the potential to learn when given the appropriate tools and materials for success. Incorporated into her teaching philosophy is finding and sharing joy which she feels makes a huge difference in how her students learn, how much they learn and if they want to learn at all each day. Her heart-warming positivity is admired by her colleagues, parents of her students and anyone who comes in contact with her. She is always looking forward to seeing what joy she and her students can find next.

According to Maxson School Principal, David Herrera, Mrs. Lewis is a bright positive star on campus.

“Erin is fully vested in the growth of her students and school to provide and foster a positive and engaging environment for our students,” said Herrera. “She reaches our students with her compassion and her fortitude which inspires them to grow, learn and duplicate her strong wonderful qualities as a teacher, mom and super hero! We are fortunate to have her on our campus and in our district.”

In addition to her daily teaching, throughout her 24 years in Mountain View Lewis has served the district and schools in a variety of ways including being part of the Teaching English Learners through the Arts (TELA) committee and Technology Integrated Learning & Teaching (TILT) committee, serving as a Drumfit Teacher Leader, and sharing her expertise as a Seesaw Certified Educator. She is highly innovative and researches programs, applications, curriculum, and instructional materials that will benefit not only her students, but all MVSD students. She has been instrumental in bringing effective programs to the district and goes above and beyond to support school, district and community programs, and promotes inclusion and acceptance for all.

“I love my students and their families and I love what I do,” said Lewis. “It feels strange to receive an award for something that is like breathing to me. I am beyond touched, grateful to my parents, my siblings, precious friends, all the support crew at work and home, to Ray Andry, to the El Monte Promise Foundation, the Salcedo family and everyone who helps me keep on keeping on. What a joyous night, thank you.”