Ms. Yoshino creates an engaging classroom where my student has felt motivated to grow. There’s a balance of academics and that I didn’t expect, but that Theron has thrived in. He’s excited to go to class and learn and interact, and has noticed the change in his own confidence and independence by being a part of her classroom. Ms. Yoshino genuinely gets excited about her kids’ lives. She shares Theron’s milestones with us and takes personal time to let the kids know that she cares. She has even been to one of Theron’s soccer games. She’s been a catalyst for Theron’s growth and confidence. He started the year with a bit of a confidence issue, and we have seen that be replaced by an attitude that hard things are achievable. He’s excelled at subjects that were a struggle at the beginning of the year, and has grown tremendously as a person. The best thing I can say about Ms. Yoshino is that she shows genuine interest. She supports the kids academically and encourages them to try things outside their comfort zone (like chess). And she helps reinforce that learning is a genuinely fun activity that kids look forward to. Add to that, outside the classroom, she shows up for her students and celebrates their achievements. I can only imagine how valued and seen the kids must feel, and that clearly pays dividends in their development.