Each year, the #SpanningtheNeed will present an “Inspirational Person of the Week, Education Edition’ during Teacher Appreciation Week and have a “Q & A” with one of its many gifted teachers who are willing to go out of their own way to help others. This week’s featured as apart of our Teacher Appreciation Week is Amber Bonilla from Struthers City Schools. | Nominate someone now.
Name: Amber Bonilla
Position: Intervention Specialist – Resource Room Teacher (Special Education)
School District: Struthers City Schools (Struthers Middle School)
What made you want to go into the education field?
I selected the field of special education specifically because every day is just as unique and exciting as all my students. I enjoy developing new and different methods to reach each student based on their strengths rather than focusing on their weaknesses.
What’s the biggest factor that has helped you be successful in education?
The biggest factor that has helped in the success of my students is continually having high expectations for both them and myself. The path may look a bit different in how we get there but we will get there. That unique journey is what makes everyday so enjoyable.
POTW, Mayor Catherine Cercone Miller, City of Struthers(Opens in a new browser tab)
What is the biggest professional mistake you made along the way?
I feel like the biggest professional mistake that I have made along the way is advocating for my students without providing them with the tools to advocate for themselves. I have witnessed remarkable things in providing my students with the tools to advocate for themselves and I plan on continuing to provide them with the necessities in becoming active and productive members of their community.
What is the best advice you can give future educators or the public?
The best advice I could give future educators is to always be willing to listen, change, grow, and adapt in everything that you do. There is always room for learning, especially for teachers.
If you could start all over again, what would you do differently regarding your profession?
I wouldn’t do anything differently; I am one of the few people that genuinely enjoy going to work every day.
Press Club Accepting Applications for $2,000 Scholarships
What song best describes you or is the soundtrack to your life?
What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong
Many people go through the motions of life until they realize that the things that matter most can be taken away in a heartbeat. This song reminds me to slow down and appreciate the wonderful things/people that are right in front of me.
What is your best accomplishment/experience in life?
My greatest accomplishment is and will always be my children, Antonio and Ellianna. They are both remarkable young human-beings that impress me on a daily basis. I am truly blessed to get to be their mother.
Who is your role model and why?
My role model has always been my grandmother. She was a devoted, loyal, caring, funny, creative, compassionate, giving, calm, patient, opinionated, and loving person that always put others before herself.
If there was one person that you would like to meet, past or present, who would it be and why?
I would love to meet my husband’s organ (liver) donor/donor family just to express our utmost gratitude for giving him a second chance at life. By choosing to be a donor they gave my husband the chance to see my son graduate this year, the opportunity to take my daughter to another father/daughter dance, and the opportunity for all of us to realize that these things can be taken away so easily. They are real heroes.
A favorite quote that you live by?
“If you do not ask the right questions, you do not get the right answers. A question asked in the right way often points to its own answer. Only inquiring minds solve problems.” – Edward Hodnett
