Albuquerque Public Schools
Six 'Whatateachers' Make a Daily Difference
Hodgin's Yannick Campos and five others honored with checks, praise.
Yannick Campos’ story is inextricably linked to Hodgin Elementary School – first as a parent, then a member of the PTA, then as a family liaison, and finally, a teacher.
In a lot of ways, she’d always been a star. But that fact was confirmed Tuesday morning, when Campos received a $1,000 check from Whataburger as part of its “Whatateacher” recognition during Teacher Appreciation Week.
Campos and five other teachers – Victoria Elwell of Alamosa Elementary; Alma Arango of Atrisco Heritage Academy High School; Ryan Jenkins of Washington Middle School; Tyler Valdez of Marie Hughes Elementary; and Victoria Vicente of Rio Grande High – were recognized by the Whataburger restaurants as outstanding Community Schools teachers who have made a difference on their students through collaboration while fostering an environment that addresses students’ social, emotional and physical well-being.
Elwell, Arango, Jenkins, Valdez and Vicente each received $250 checks and also were recognized at an enthusiastic schoolwide celebration at Hodgin that included several officials from Whataburger and APS Associate Superintendent Kenneth Salazar.
Hodgin means a lot to Campos, of course. Her 14 years at the school in various roles has given her a deep understanding of the school and its surrounding community. She speaks with pride about receiving invitations to high school graduations from students she’s come across – and about the mission of community schools in general.
“Helping the kids and seeing them grow,” she said when asked a question about what she loves about teaching.
More than four-dozen nominations for the honor were submitted from throughout APS. When Campos was informed she was receiving the honor – and a check – her amazement was obvious.
“Oh, my God,” she said, “I just couldn’t believe it. I’m like, `Really? Me?’”
Campos grew up in Costa Rica, and said she was inspired to teach and help by one of her instructors there who modeled the things she now does: care about children, teach them well, care about their families, support them when they need assistance on any front.
“Because of her, I am a teacher,” Campos said.
From the sound of the heartfelt cheers Tuesday morning, that kind of echo may linger in the minds of a student or two or three at Hodgin and throughout the district. Yannick Campos and her colleagues are passing a torch that still burns brightly.