From teaching to advising student clubs like student council and WEB, math teacher Vanessa Portillo at Queen Creek Junior High School (QCJHS) ensures that every student who enters her classroom feels capable and valued. QCJHS is filled with exceptional teachers and staff, and Vanessa Portillo is just one example of the teacher excellence found at her school and throughout Queen Creek Unified School District (QCUSD).
“My favorite part of my job is watching students grow academically and socially,” Portillo explains. “I love when the light bulbs come on, and they are thinking for themselves. They’re not looking for the quick fixes.” By teaching real skills and giving students time to explore, she helps them reach a deeper understanding of concepts. “We really explore and dive into math and make it more real-life to them. We want to make sure that we are creating thinkers because they [students] are our future.”
When asked why she chose QCJHS, Portillo shared that support and a tight-knit community make all the difference. “I joined QCUSD because it has a very family, small-town feel. And I feel that we have a really good sense of community here.”
Portillo credits much of her success to making each student feel seen. As a WEB advisor, she works with students to ensure everyone at QCJHS feels a sense of belonging. “I try to make sure that our eighth grade students are helping out the seventh grade students to feel safe and comfortable coming to school every day.”
To help seventh graders transition into middle school, Portillo takes time to recognize each student individually. “I really like to highlight student birthdays. And then I also like to make sure I’m making those connections and relationships. In my classroom, especially at the junior high level, they’re still learning who they are and what they’re becoming from elementary.”
Teachers like Vanessa Portillo are what make QCUSD an exceptional place to learn and grow. When asked why families should choose QCUSD, Portillo replied, “You should choose QCUSD because our campus here at Queen Creek Junior High is a very collaborative, student-focused, and positive environment.”