The El Diablo Media Network is excited to recognize Mrs. Yumibe as our Teacher of the Week!

Mrs. Yumibe’s inspiration for becoming a teacher started at home. Her mom was a teacher, and growing up she loved going to work with her, helping lead activities, and interacting with students. Those early experiences showed her how meaningful it is to be a role model and to guide students as they form the way they see the world—and themselves.

One of Mrs. Yumibe’s favorite parts of teaching is watching students overcome challenges and accomplish things they didn’t think were possible. Seeing a student have an “a-ha” moment is always encouraging and reminds her why she chose this profession. Although she began her teaching career teaching Spanish, math has become her favorite subject to teach. Math was also her favorite subject as a student because she enjoys how it feels like solving a puzzle and usually has one clear right answer.

When it comes to advice for students, Mrs. Yumibe emphasizes that grades do not define learning. A good grade doesn’t mean you’re an expert, and a low grade doesn’t mean you aren’t learning. What matters most is focusing on understanding, growth, and what you take away from your time as a student.

For Mrs. Yumibe, the most rewarding part of teaching isn’t one specific moment, but the relationships she builds with students. Helping students push themselves, take risks, and reach their goals is always rewarding—especially when former students come back to share how they’re doing and how her class made an impact on their lives.

A fun fact students might not know about Mrs. Yumibe is that she hasn’t grown since she was 12 years old—she’s been the same height since sixth grade. On challenging days, she stays motivated by reminding herself that hard days are temporary and that better days are always ahead.

One teacher who made a big impact on Mrs. Yumibe’s life was her AP World History teacher, Mr. Viccellio. He cared about students as whole people, not just grades, and encouraged them to take risks. He often compared life to the 100-mile races he ran: work hard, push through, and never give up.

If Mrs. Yumibe weren’t a teacher, her career path might look very different. She was a singer for most of her life and also worked as a barista. In another world, she imagines herself performing somewhere famous—or owning a coffee shop where she could invent new teas and coffee drinks.

Congrats to Mrs. Yumibe (she/her) on being our Teacher of the Week! Be sure to keep an eye out for the next Instagram poll to help nominate who we highlight next.