Fellow teacher Terri Hughes describes Grijalva , who teaches English language arts , English language development and ethnic studies , as a “ beacon of light ” on campus .

“ Mrs . G exudes pure joy in her role . She wholeheartedly loves her students ,” Hughes said .

This sentiment is echoed by her students and members of her community . Her love for her students and her community is evident . Stepping inside Grijalva ’ s classroom is an experience . The walls are decorated with colorful , culturally inspired art , handmade by students . Empowering messages such as “ Si , Se Puede ” and “ Follow your Dreams ” hang throughout the room .

Activists and icons such as Dr . Martin Luther King Jr ., Dolores Huerta , Gaspar Yanga and Tupac Shakur are all part of her lessons . Along the far wall is an altar , a place for all to acknowledge their ancestors . Photographs placed on the altar include fallen friends and family members of the community . Grijalva said helping students embrace their culture is essential to making deep connections with them so that they are receptive to learning .

“ Knowing your true history and where you came from is so empowering ,” Grijalva said .

She inspires her students to fight for change in their community and is personally involved in those struggles . As residents of the surrounding neighborhood themselves , Grijalva , her husband , Umar Alfa , and their children , have connected with families for years prior to knowing them as students . Families at Tehipite struggle with poverty , immigration issues and worries about deportation .

She said the area is marred by crime , violence and trash in the streets . Grijalva is concerned that little is being done to resolve the issues faced by her community , which inspires her to keep striving for change . She tells her students and families that education is the key .

“ I want my students to know that education can and will change your life ,” she said . “ I just want kids to know that everything they need is already inside of them . They just need to tap into it .”

She is proof . Grijalva was born to a teen mom and was raised in Los Banos by her mother and grandparents . Although they were not financially wealthy , they were rich in love , respect and pride in their culture .

Elisa understood the value of hard work from a young age , at times cleaning houses with her grandmother and later working in the fields with her family . Grijalva ’ s family instilled in her a strong work ethic and a sense of pride .

She watched her grandfather come home from back-breaking field work . Her beloved Tata , whose picture resides on the altar , was her first teaching inspiration . He quit school and began working in the fields at a young age to support his family . Elisa stepped into the role of teacher , sharing with him what she was learning in school . Her family began calling her “ La Maestra ,” Spanish for teacher .

After obtaining her multi-subject teaching credential from Fresno Pacific University , Grijalva had accepted a job in Fresno Unified to teach second grade . But Richard Pascual , Tehipite ’ s principal at the time , had seen her resume and asked her to come for an interview , launching her 20-year career changing the lives of students .

4 FACES