2023 Spice of Life
Susan Valenta Youth Leadership Award : Alexandra Beyret
iving back to the community that has allowed Alexandra
G and countless others to thrive is both a value and a passion
for this recent graduate of TJ Owens Gilroy Early College Academy ( GECA ). During her tenure as the GECA Board Representative to the Gilroy Unified School District , and as a member of GECA ’ s Honors Tribunal , Alexandra represented her fellow GECA students and advocated for the needs of her community .
At Gavilan College , Alexandra served as a STEM tutor and represented GECA as the only high school student officer in Gavilan ’ s Associate Student Body , where she served as secretary . She served as a commissioner on the Santa Clara Mental Health in Schools Youth Advocacy Commission , where she had the opportunity to directly impact students and schools county-wide . With equal passion , Alexandra advocates for the betterment of society by applying her solutions-based mindset to global issues .
In college , Alexandra plans to pursue her passions for advocacy , public policy , and mathematics by doublemajoring in economics and mathematics . She looks forward to replicating and expanding her community involvement in college by joining advocacy groups , student government , and student-led initiatives that use economics to strengthen local neighborhoods .
Her advice to students is to always work hard and never stop following one ’ s passions . Alexandra emphasizes the power of being dependable , putting forth your best effort , and never failing to act for the good of the whole in all aspects of one ’ s life .
Teacher of the Year : Michelle Anderson
As a child , Michelle earned a reputation as an incorrigible student . After earning a BBA at Phillips University and a MA-IPED from Fordham University in the Bronx , the Nebraska Native joined the Peace Corps , teaching elementary school on the island of Pohnpei . In this humble setting , she first considered a career in education . While teaching college in South Korea and throughout the Federated States of Micronesia , she paid homage to her mother – who learned English as a second language in post-WWII Germany – by earning her MATL / ESL from the University of Southern Mississippi .
In 2004 thru 2006 she taught kindergarten at Glen View Elementary before moving to first grade . For Michelle , seeing former students around Gilroy is always a joy . This , along with her volunteerism at the Gilroy Garlic Festival and Gilroy Rodeo , reminds her that Gilroy is a community where everyone seems to be connected . She is an active member of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd , and a proud mom of two sons . Ben is a sophomore at Cal Poly SLO . Will is a junior at CHS . Both boys have contributed to the community through volunteer work and their church .
Michelle takes pride in teaching ESL to non-native speakers . She is an after-school tutor and holds reading groups for emerging readers before the school day begins . Observing her students ’ growth in academic , community , and global responsibility is her biggest reward .
Michelle ’ s feels blessed to have had that “ Aha ” moment so many years ago in that classroom on the island of Pohnpei . Her advice to those considering teaching is , listen to your heart . Every single day requires intense passion , dedication , energy , and a sense of humor . The reward comes by being a part of a child ’ s life .
22 SUMMER 2023 gmhTODAY Magazine : Go . Make history ... gmhtoday . com