Menifee 24/7 Teacher of Month Award Goes to Connie Roybal

Jennifer Broderdorf of Massage Envy and Menifee 24/7 editor Doug Spoon present the Teacher of the Month award to Connie Roybal (center).

Several years ago, when Connie Roybal decided to give up a career in children's psychiatric care to become a teacher, her father was not pleased.

"Dad really had no respect for teachers," Roybal said. "He said, 'Don't ever tell me it's hard.' "

Roybal has never said her job is easy, but she readily admits it's fun. And it's that perspective on education that helped earn her this month's Menifee 24/7 Teacher of the Month award, sponsored by Massage Envy.

A third grade teacher at Southshore Elementary School, Roybal is loved by the students in her class and praised by their parents. The key, they say, is her ability to make school fun and interesting.

"Connie keeps her third graders excited by engaging them in challenges and intriguing information," said Keri Wisdom, a parent volunteer in the class. "Connie promotes intrinsic motivation in her students. She strives to foster responsible, independent learners."

Another parent in the class says she is grateful for the time Roybal spends giving individual attention to each student. Her son, she says, has learned to feel comfortable in new surroundings this school year.

"He likes her because she is nice, she is fun, and she is a good teacher," the boy's mother said. "She lets them play games and teaches him a lot."

This mother also sees great value in the way Roybal prepares her students for advancement. Although she's always finding fun activities for them to do, she makes sure they are meeting academic requirements -- and beyond.

"She sees where they are struggling and puts in so much extra effort to make sure she helps them catch up and succeed," the mother said about her son's teacher. "Her students do not just get passed through third grade. She makes sure they are getting prepared for fourth grade so they can excel when they get there."

Roybal says she enjoys using the latest technology in the classroom, utilizing Power Point presentations to present material. At the same time, however, she makes sure the students learn to work with their hands, making crafts that relate to their studies.

"We're real blessed with the high tech equipment we have," Royal said. "Sometimes the kids teach me. Overall, I just try to make everything fun for them. I have my own personality and sense of humor."

Roybal received a $50 gift card from Massage Envy, located in the Countryside Marketplace in Menifee.

If you would like to nominate a Menifee teacher for Menifee 24/7's next Teacher of the Month award, email us at menifee247info@gmail.com. In 200 words or less, tell us why you believe this person should be the Teacher of the Month. Please include your name, name of the teacher, and any other pertinent information about the nominee.