SAN DIEGO — Monday, May 6 is the start of Teacher Appreciation Week. The week recognizes teachers who get an A+ for dedication to their students.
San Diego Helpful Honda honors teachers for their commitment to education and surprises only a few teachers who are making the top grade.
“I thought we were going to have a pizza party,” said Dawn Hester.
She is a physics teacher and robotics coach at Westview High School in the Poway Unified School District. She wasn’t able to attend the National Championship in Houston, so she thought she was celebrating the team winning the prestigious Impact Award in Texas.
Underneath her mask and the arm compressions, Hester is healing from breast cancer surgery.
“She scheduled her chemo and treatments around school so she could do all of her outreach,” said Julia Smith, WHS junior, robotics team member.
Hester’s selflessness caught the attention of the San Diego Helpful Honda’s Random Act of Helpfulness campaign.
“We wanted to bring you a random act of helpfulness,” said Zuly Telles, San Diego Helpful Honda.
Helpful Honda says teachers spend more than $800 on school supplies each year.
“We are donating $5,000 to you in school supplies for you,” said Telles to Hester.
As part of Teacher Appreciation Week, Hester is one of four teachers out of 120 in San Diego County who was nominated to receive $5,000 in supplies.
“What she is doing for her robotics and for women is incredible and we wanted to give her a random act of helpfulness,” said Telles.
In the row of supplies are slinkies, starter kits and laptops among other science supplies which embodies Hester’s style of teaching - one-on-one project-based learning.
“This is exactly what we need!” said Hester.
Hester’s colleague, Malinda Dixon, nominated her in San Diego Helpful Honda’s Random Act of Helpfulness campaign.
“She has the biggest, selfless heart of anyone I know,” said Dixon.
That selflessness can also be felt by her students and team members.
“I’m glad we get the opportunity to tell you how much love you and value you,” said a student.
Hester says her students and the school are what helped her fight cancer.
“I could put my health first and still enjoy my work and enjoy seeing what the kids are doing,” said Hester.
The teacher says she starts another round of chemo on Friday and without hesitation will return to class on Monday.
“Your innovative minds and working with you every day is so exciting. I miss it and I can’t wait to come back,” said Hester.
San Diego Helpful Honda is planning to surprise and honor other teachers in San Diego County this week.
If you would like to nominate someone as part of the San Diego Helpful Honda’s Random Act of Helpfulness click here.
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