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Flowing Wells High School, Tucson
9th – 12th Grade Special Education Life Skills
“My personality seems to be a good match for the type
of work I do, and I just hope and pray that I can always play
a small part in the independence and happiness of the very
special students I teach.” For 16 years, Maria has dedicated
her professional life to teaching life skills to students
with special needs. In addition to teaching in the classroom,
Maria is involved with Special Olympics and The World Games,
encouraging her students to volunteer in the community as
well, believing that “giving back to our community is
not only a terrific way in instill a sense of community in
my students but also helps educate the public on the many
positive qualities of persons living with disabilities.”
Maria employs a variety of teaching methods and strategies
to encourage learning in her classroom. She feels students
must “enjoy school, feel relaxed, safe and genuinely
cared for in order to try new skills and strive for his/her
potential. Humor, in my opinion, plays a vital role in many
activities….It is my job to enable each student to utilize
the academic skills he/she already has in a functional manner,
while developing his/her independent life skills. This process
ultimately results in the student’s ability to live as
independently as possible.”
Maria earned her Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education
and Special Education from the University of Arizona.
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