TEACHER FEATURE – MRS. CABALLERO (2012)
From a very early age Cindy Caballero knew she wanted to work with children but at first thought it would be as a pediatric nurse. After graduating from high school she earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Science from CSU at Chico. However, after volunteering during a few semesters at an elementary school she realized that being a teacher was where her heart lie and felt this was where she could make biggest difference. She went on earn her Master of Arts in teaching with a specialization in reading from National University.
Now in her 17th year teaching, she began her career in San Jose Unified teaching 3rd grade when California implemented class-size reduction. She spent three years in the Bay area teaching both 2nd and 3rd grade prior to moving to the San Diego area. “When I moved here, I was hired at HILLTOP as a 5/6 combination teacher. At first I was a bit petrified to work with the upper graders, however, I quickly grew to love it,” said Caballero who has worked as either a 6th grade or a 5/6 combination until last year when she moved to a straight 5th grade class.
She finds that the most challenging aspect of teaching is also the most rewarding. “With each new group of students, everyone learns differently and what we do in the classroom is always changing. I love the moment that the ‘light bulb’ goes on and you see that a child realizes what they already know and that they are capable of great things. That’s a wonderful feeling.”
Caballero believes that all students can be successful and achieve great things if they believe in themselves. “I don’t feel my role as a classroom teacher is just to teach the students. I always tell my students that I treat them and have the same expectations as I do my own kids at home, which is extremely high and know that they can be successful.”
Reading is a fundamental building block for success in her class. “I encourage students to read as much as possible from a variety of genres. Sometimes it not a bad thing to go outside their comfort zone when choosing pieces of text. They just might learn something new.”
Parents are a big key in a child’s success according to Cabellero. She feels having parents listen and talk with their kids about their day and show an interest in what’s going on in the classroom helps validate what they are learning in school and shows the kids that they value their education.
She also believes that students can help themselves be successful in school. “Consistency, effort, and focus are three things any student can do. Asking for help and taking responsibility for his or her own learning are key.” Caballero’s 5th grade partner is Robin Donlan who is in her first year at this grade level. “It’s been really great working with Cindy. She’s a very dedicated and hard working teacher. She’s made my move to 5th grade so much smoother and I know I’ll learn a lot from her,” said Donlan.
Caballero enjoys meeting former students and seeing how they have been successful with their life’s path, whether it is through college, a trade school, or another career path. “These have been some of my favorite moments as a teacher outside of the daily classroom successes. It’s very exciting and gratifying to know that I helped those ‘kids’ succeed.”
During her spare time, Cabellero enjoy spending time with her family swimming, visiting museums, and going to the movies. She also enjoys reading and always has a few good books to read waiting for her at home. She grew up in San Jose, California and collected Mickey Mouse memorabilia and Disneyland is still her favorite place to visit. She is married to Edward Caballero and they have two children, Isabel (9) and Noah (7).
From a very early age Cindy Caballero knew she wanted to work with children but at first thought it would be as a pediatric nurse. After graduating from high school she earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Science from CSU at Chico. However, after volunteering during a few semesters at an elementary school she realized that being a teacher was where her heart lie and felt this was where she could make biggest difference. She went on earn her Master of Arts in teaching with a specialization in reading from National University.
Now in her 17th year teaching, she began her career in San Jose Unified teaching 3rd grade when California implemented class-size reduction. She spent three years in the Bay area teaching both 2nd and 3rd grade prior to moving to the San Diego area. “When I moved here, I was hired at HILLTOP as a 5/6 combination teacher. At first I was a bit petrified to work with the upper graders, however, I quickly grew to love it,” said Caballero who has worked as either a 6th grade or a 5/6 combination until last year when she moved to a straight 5th grade class.
She finds that the most challenging aspect of teaching is also the most rewarding. “With each new group of students, everyone learns differently and what we do in the classroom is always changing. I love the moment that the ‘light bulb’ goes on and you see that a child realizes what they already know and that they are capable of great things. That’s a wonderful feeling.”
Caballero believes that all students can be successful and achieve great things if they believe in themselves. “I don’t feel my role as a classroom teacher is just to teach the students. I always tell my students that I treat them and have the same expectations as I do my own kids at home, which is extremely high and know that they can be successful.”
Reading is a fundamental building block for success in her class. “I encourage students to read as much as possible from a variety of genres. Sometimes it not a bad thing to go outside their comfort zone when choosing pieces of text. They just might learn something new.”
Parents are a big key in a child’s success according to Cabellero. She feels having parents listen and talk with their kids about their day and show an interest in what’s going on in the classroom helps validate what they are learning in school and shows the kids that they value their education.
She also believes that students can help themselves be successful in school. “Consistency, effort, and focus are three things any student can do. Asking for help and taking responsibility for his or her own learning are key.” Caballero’s 5th grade partner is Robin Donlan who is in her first year at this grade level. “It’s been really great working with Cindy. She’s a very dedicated and hard working teacher. She’s made my move to 5th grade so much smoother and I know I’ll learn a lot from her,” said Donlan.
Caballero enjoys meeting former students and seeing how they have been successful with their life’s path, whether it is through college, a trade school, or another career path. “These have been some of my favorite moments as a teacher outside of the daily classroom successes. It’s very exciting and gratifying to know that I helped those ‘kids’ succeed.”
During her spare time, Cabellero enjoy spending time with her family swimming, visiting museums, and going to the movies. She also enjoys reading and always has a few good books to read waiting for her at home. She grew up in San Jose, California and collected Mickey Mouse memorabilia and Disneyland is still her favorite place to visit. She is married to Edward Caballero and they have two children, Isabel (9) and Noah (7).