Our Employee of the Month is Yadira Flores from California!
Yadira Flores has been with Apollo After School at Monterey Highlands Elementary in Alhambra, California for three years. She began as an educator, then assistant site director, and this year has stepped into the Site Director role. Yadira is extremely dependable and always willing to help her coworkers. She is deeply committed to the students, families, and staff. Her strong work ethic, professionalism, and genuine care for the program make her a trusted and highly valued leader at Monterey Highlands.
Yadira, thank you for being such an outstanding employee and teacher.
To show our appreciation for your dedication and hard work – please check your email this week for a special gift from us.
Check out our interview with Yadira below:
- Who are you, where do you come from, where are you going?
My name is Yadira Flores and I was born and raised in Los Angeles. I have a degree in Psychology, and I love working with children. They are joy and laughter and I love that! I look forward to going back to school and perhaps earn my teaching credentials.
- How long have you been teaching with Apollo?
I have been with Apollo for 3 years.
- What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned since you started teaching?
The most valuable lesson I have learned is patience and kindness. Working with children has taught me to be patient as they are figuring out life and I am honored to be a part of their journey!
- How do you motivate your students to succeed?
I motivate them with praise and encouragement. I encourage them to try their very best. I believe that every student is bright and capable of accomplishing anything.
- If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
If I could have any superpower I would love to fly! I would be able to travel anywhere!
- What is your most memorable memory from your time as an Apollo instructor?
I have so many great memories with Apollo but I think the most memorable one is coloring with a student who was in kinder. I walked away for a couple of minutes and he called me back to his seat and said to me “I want you to stay here and color with me!” That is when I knew I wanted to work with children my whole life!
- If you could retire tomorrow and never have to worry about money again, what would you do with your time?
I would love to travel and see the entire world! I would also love to have some sort of sanctuary for doggies! There are so many dogs without homes. I would love to be able to rescue dogs and provide them with food, shelter, and love!
- What’s your go-to technique for dealing with ‘handful students’?
I try my best to relate to them. Whether they are having a bad day or they are having a hard time focusing. I try my best to make them feel understood and seen.
- What is an unusual place you have been to?
No unusual places for me.
- Do you have a talent that not many people know about?
I don’t think it’s a talent but I am able to finish a book in a day.
- What’s your #1 teaching tip?
My #1 teaching tip is to be kind and understanding towards students. I have awesome memories from my kindergarten teacher. So I always try to make awesome memories for students by showing them kindness. I always hope I am making a positive impact in their lives. I always hope they will remember me when they are older.
- What’s your favorite classroom Attention Getter?
My favorite attention getter is I say “1,2,3 everybody freeze!” And I make it into a game and the little ones love it!
- What is something interesting that you’re involved in, outside of Apollo After School?
I don’t really leave my house all that much but when I do I am always with my family. I am very family oriented. If I ever feel like I need to relax or decompress I head over to my sister’s place and I spend time with her. Family is everything to me!
- How do you spend your summer breaks?
I try to take advantage over the fact that I live in Long Beach. I live about 15 minutes from the beach. So I spend my summer breaks taking my dogs on a walk by the beach and enjoy the sun and ocean views
- Star Wars, Star Trek, or they’re both lame?
I fell asleep during a Star Wars movie so it’s lame. I have no interest in watching Star Trek. Sorry! I am more of a Harry Potter and Twilight fan! (Team Edward)
- What do you like most about working with Apollo?
Apollo has been great and I have learned so much about myself these past few years. Thanks to Apollo, I have a job that I absolutely love! I love that I get to spend time with our students and I love being able to help them learn and grow.
