After 14 years of dedicated teaching to Yorktown, Cara Saavedra was named Teacher of the Year. Her hard work and commitment over the past decade undoubtedly proves her eligibility for this award. Saavedra is invested in helping her students succeed, whether it is teaching Math Analysis/Trigonometry, Math Strategies or Geometry. Her passionate personality and sense of humor make her class enjoyable for all students, even when math may seem like a class most struggle with.  

The enthusiasm Saavedra has for her job is undeniable as teaching is her true passion. Her devotion for her students is shown in the classroom everyday.

“I enjoy helping students who do not necessarily like math, understand it and enjoy it, and I enjoy helping students who need to pass the SOL [Standards of Learning] for graduation,” Saavedra said.

Before Saavedra began studying education, she was a student at Yorktown herself. In addition to being on staff at The Sentry, she was also an avid player on the softball team. Her former coach but now co-worker in the math department, Geometry and Probability and Statistics teacher, Harold Anderson, thinks very fondly of Saavedra.

“My first introduction to Cara was as her coach; I broke her nose on a fly ball. But what makes her a great teacher is her sense of humor, and she is an expert in the technology involved in the math department. She’s not only an ex-student, but she’s become a friend,” Andersen said.

Math resource teacher in special education Brannon Burnett also has experienced first hand how amazing of a person and teacher Saavedra is.

“Ms. Saavedra is one of the funniest teachers, and she’s also one of the most patient teachers, and she’s really fun to work with because she likes to laugh a lot,” Burnett said.

Saavedra’s students have nothing but high praise to say about her teaching. Her style and approach to helping students learn has benefited sophomore and former geometry student Paige Halsted.

“Ms. Saavedra always went above and beyond to make sure her students understood the material. I had a lot of laughs in that class but also always had the help I needed,” Halsted said.

Saavedra’s down to earth and approachable personality allows students to feel encouraged to ask questions. Sophomore Alison Levine, a former student, was always comfortable asking for help.

“Ms. Saavedra was a really approachable person, and always willing to sit down and help me, I always felt welcomed when I went in for extra help. Once I got an 89 on a test and I went in for test corrections, and she helped me fully understand what I was confused about and it even brought my grade up to an A,”  Levine said.

Yorktown and the welcoming environment that it provides holds a special place in Saavedra’s heart.

“I really like teaching at Yorktown because it has such a strong community and I feel like you can get to know a lot of the students here, and the fact that teachers and the administrators stay pretty consistent, so you just kind of have a great comfort level here,” Saavedra said.

A teacher’s job is to create an environment that facilitates learning, something Saavedra clearly excels at. Her passion for her students and this school is unmatched, and the admiration her coworkers have for her is evident. The Teacher of the Year is an honor and it is was awarded to an exceptionally deserving teacher.