FFA teacher works above and beyond
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outhwest High School agriculture teacher Kristin Mayo been working to help her students, both inside and outside of the classroom.
For the past three years, Mayo spends an average 15 hours a week with her students, on top of her normal 8:05 a.m. to 3:16 p.m. workday.
Mayo was born and raised in the Imperial Valley and enjoys the agriculture industry. She decided to stay and raise her kids so that they can get an appreciation for agriculture.
“We have to have kids that are excited about it and make it continue,” said Mayo.
She started teaching at Corfman Middle School and only taught a Science Technology Engineering Mathematics class for one year. She then was referred by a friend to work at Southwest High School since she liked being an outdoor teacher — which she got the job.
Mayo’s students say that she always goes above and beyond what is expected of her to ensure her students’ success. Freshman Nathaniel Terrazas, 14, is a first-year FFA student at Southwest.
“She is a really kind teacher who doesn’t let you fail,” Nathaniel said.
Joseph Nava, 15, is a sophomore who has been in FFA for two years but has known Mayo since seventh grade.
“Ever since seventh grade, she had always strived for the students’ best,” Joseph said.
He regularly attends the meetings and shows his animal at the fair and thanks Mayo for changing his perspective on agriculture and getting him more involved.
Joseph is thinking about getting a career in agriculture since he learned many new experiences and got to be hands on.
“She is an overall great teacher an always is glad to help,” he said.