In March, Matthew Perez, grades 3-4 teacher at Oceanside Adventist Elementary (OAE), was selected as one of 12 out of 24,000 teachers in San Diego County to receive recognition for his work in the classroom through Tribute to Teachers, an annual program presented by local radio station KYXY 96.5 and American Assets Trusts.
“I was completely shocked,” Perez admitted. Representatives presented Perez with a plaque and gift card, noting his fun style of teaching, the family-like atmosphere in his classroom, and contributions he’s made to his students, both academically and spiritually.
“This honor is well-deserved,” commented Brooke Lemmon, OAE principal, who has received much positive feedback from parents about Perez. “I see his incredible contributions every day.”
One parent shared their child’s reflection on how blessed they were to be in a class that is “like a big family.” Another posted on Facebook an encouraging note Perez had sent them in the mail.
“It is most important to me that my students feel safe, welcome, and loved,” Perez said. “These needs must be met before academics can be applied.”
“The more seasoned I get, the more I see relationship-building with my students as a puzzle,” he said. “Each year it’s a different group of students with different personalities and needs, and I have to figure it out. It takes time, but I really enjoy it.”
Perez approaches the school year, and education, as a marathon, and he helps his students view it that way, too—long, sometimes grueling, with lots of peaks and valleys throughout, and a chance for them to learn how to pace themselves.
“It’s important to savor the moments at the peaks and learn from the times of struggle in the valleys,” he said.
Lemmon says Perez’s approach clearly works. “Mr. Perez is all in for OAE and for God,” she said. “He has a positive and professional attitude and enjoys openly sharing his faith with his students.”
Perez said he is incredibly grateful to the person who nominated him for the award and added, “It is a wonderful feeling to be honored for the work I do—even when I already absolutely love it.”