Position: Fourth Grade Teacher / GATE Program Facilitator
School: Portola Elementary School
School District: Ventura Unified School District
City, State: Ventura, CA
Stephanie Larsen was nominated by Marina Porter, a member of the community.
Mrs. Larsen goes above and beyond for her fourth grade students. She works at a school with students attending from lower-income homes. Some of her students have one or more parents incarcerated, and they don't receive lot of academic support from grandparents or other family members living at home. Mrs. Larsen facilitates the GATE program and an intervention program after school. She has such a kind, gentle way about her that students really thrive and connect with her.