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THE PESA POST
The latest news, views and announcements from
Parents, Educators/Teachers & Students in Action

March 2, 2023
FACES OF PESA: GABRIELA MORALES
PESA inspires the next generation of teachers 
Inspired by the Los Angeles Superior Court Teen Court Program at her high school, PESA Tutor and Mentor Gabriela Morales began her studies at the University of California, Riverside intent on pursuing a career in law. She has since graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, but her career aspirations have shifted to teaching in the two years she has been involved with PESA. 

While describing her family background, Morales stated that “[her] family always knew that [she] had it in [her] to be a teacher.” She essentially treated her siblings as her students and gave them lessons so they were more prepared for when they started school. Morales also cites her parents as a critical source of inspiration in pursuing teaching. Her father went to college in El Salvador for teaching, while her mother didn’t have the opportunity to pursue further education due to finances. They immigrated to the United States intent on providing more educational opportunities for their children. “They’re living their dream through me,” said Morales. 

During her time at PESA, Morales has tutored several students in various subjects across all grade levels. Morales also shared her success story with one of her favorite students, a highschooler named Cameron. By the time Cameron got to Morales, he’d gone through several tutors. She initially described him as someone who didn’t always show up for sessions and complete assignments. He was failing all his classes and had been in trouble with the law. But once he got to know Morales, he opened up and was more willing to cooperate. 

“He wasn’t a bad kid, he just didn’t have anyone to get excited with him,” said Morales. Not only did she play a crucial role in improving his academic performance, she also transformed his relationship with his parents. Morales believed that he wasn’t receiving the needed praise from his family when he did things well. So she made it a point to send his mom an update when he performed well so they could encourage his progress.

While Morales initially wasn’t intending to tutor with PESA, once she began, she shared that the “hours go by quickly and [she] genuinely has a good time, and it doesn’t even feel like work!” Morales is currently in the process of applying to substitute teacher programs and plans to pursue a teaching credential in the future.

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