VISTA, Calif. — The San Diego County Credit Union is honoring a Vista teacher for her dedication to students while managing to overcome her own challenges.
In this Zevely Zone, CBS 8 partnered with SDCCU at Vista High School to celebrate a 'Classroom Hero'.
We are traveling the county honoring the best of the best and in Vista, we found a teacher who has become a classroom fixture.
"Welcome to class ladies and gentlemen," said teacher Ms. Lisa Bechtold.
She was raised in Vista with wonderful teachers and wanted to grow up to become one herself. "To be honest, I became a teacher because I wanted to do something important with my life," said Ms. Bechtold.
She was born with cerebral palsy and has never walked. "It's not a big deal honestly. If you are going to have a disability, I got a good one," said Ms. Bechtold.
That 'can do' attitude rubs off on her students. "She's pretty much unstoppable," said student Sienna Hardin.
She was unstoppable a few years ago when Ms. Bechtold almost quit her profession while teaching at another school district.
"I had my car stolen out of the teacher's parking lot and my tires slashed on my wheelchair," said Ms. Bechtold.
"She has been discriminated against because of her wheelchair but she does not let that stop her at all," said student Yohann Peralta.
The 15-year-old student told us chemistry could be boring, but not how Ms. Bechtold teaches it.
"Very interactive. Her classroom feels alive because there are some classes that are kind of (boring) you know?" said Yohann.
Student reviews like those helped make Ms. Bechtold an SDCCU Classroom Hero.
"I am so excited she has added so much to our school," said Vista High School Principal Megan Ratliff.
She told us Ms. Bechtold asked for the desks in her classroom to be lowered so she could be closer to her students.
"She knew that she would be able to serve the students better if she could see over the tables and it's so important for her to notice those things and bring them to our attention," said Principal Ratliff.
Ms. Bechtold often says she's been at Vista High School for so long, that she's become part of the furniture.
"Well I've been here for 17 years, it's been a long time but I still have 15 to go," said Ms. Bechtold.
Her mother and other family members attended the award ceremony. "I think it's wonderful that she is being acknowledged by the people she works with and for," said Ruth Williams who is Ms. Bechtold's mother.
Ruth told us from the day her daughter was born, she saw a fighter.
"She has more determination than anybody I know. It doesn't always come easy for her but she continues to strive no matter what happens," said Ruth.
As for all of the hoopla that comes with being a Classroom Hero?
"This? Well, I am honored that somebody thought highly enough of me to nominate me for such a thing," said Ms. Bechtold.
Then it was back to teaching students.
"The beta particle has zero mass," said Ms. Bechtold.
The chemistry teacher has connecting with kids down to a science.
"Congratulations Ms. Bechtold. You are this month's Classroom Hero," I said while students and representatives from SDCCU clapped. October 30th is also Ms. Bechtold's birthday!
If you'd like to nominate a teacher who you think is a 'Classroom Hero', click here. Winners get a five hundred dollar Visa gift card provided by the San Diego County Credit Union. Nominate your special teacher today!