LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Breana Chavez

Position: Dual Language Elementary School Teacher
School: Bloom Elementary School
School District: Tucson Unified School District
City, State: Tucson, AZ

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Breana Chavez was nominated by a parent of a student, Keira Espinosa.

Srta. Chavez exemplifies what it means to be an outstanding educator. Since beginning her teaching career in 2021, she has shown a proven ability to make a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of her students. Her bilingual background and cultural heritage—rooted in Magdalena, Sonora, and Nogales, Arizona—enable her to connect with students and families in powerful, personal ways. As a passionate advocate for bilingual education, she inspires her students daily to embrace language, culture, and community.

Srta. Chavez consistently creates a positive and inclusive classroom environment where every child feels safe, celebrated, and motivated to learn. Her Spanish Immersion classroom is filled with joy, structure, and purpose. Her nurturing approach ensures that even the youngest learners develop confidence, independence, and a love for learning.

"Srta. Breana Chavez has greatly influenced my son's first year of school. As his kindergarten teacher, she welcomed him with warmth and enthusiasm and created an environment where he felt excited and safe to learn every day," said Espinosa. "One of the most impressive things about Srta. Chavez is how she has helped my son learn so much in Spanish while continuing to grow in English as well. Because of her, my son is proud of his progress and feels confident understanding two languages—a gift he will carry for life. Srta. Chavez demonstrates a proven ability to make a positive difference in her students' lives. My son came home every day excited to share what he learned. She made learning feel fun and meaningful."

Srta. Chavez's classroom is a warm, welcoming place filled with respect, structure, and kindness. She also creates a positive school atmosphere. Every interaction with her, whether at drop-off, pick-up, or parent-teacher meetings, has been thoughtful and encouraging. She works closely with other teachers and staff, leading with professionalism and heart.

"Srta. Chavez has my complete admiration for her leadership, her excellence in teaching, and her commitment to nurturing young minds. She holds high expectations while being incredibly supportive and compassionate. Her dedication, values, and ability to connect with students and families are exceptional. As a parent, I feel so fortunate that my son had Srta. Chavez as his kindergarten teacher. She is a true role model and has made a lasting impact on our family. Her influence extends beyond the classroom as well. Srta. Chavez demonstrates leadership within her school community, collaborating with colleagues to support language development programs and family engagement initiatives. She is a team player who uplifts those around her with professionalism and dedication," said Espinosa.

Known for her excellent performance and high standards, Srta. Chavez holds herself and her students to strong academic and behavioral expectations, consistently modeling integrity, compassion, and respect. Her commitment to creating a nurturing atmosphere is evident in every interaction with students, families, and staff. Srta. Chavez truly lives out the values of a role model educator, and she deeply deserves recognition for the impact she makes every day.

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Comments (7)

Armando Posted 4 months ago

We feel incredibly blessed and deeply grateful to have had Srta. Chavez as a teacher for our daughter. She was her teacher during the 2021–2022 school year, and though it was her first year in the classroom, you would have never known it. From the very beginning, she displayed a remarkable gift for teaching—her energy, compassion, and ability to connect with her students were truly extraordinary. Srta. Chavez’s positive and uplifting spirit was infectious. It radiated through our daughter, who came home each day more joyful, confident, and inspired. When our daughter faced some unexpected medical challenges that year, it was Srta. Chavez’s unwavering love, encouragement, and emotional support that made all the difference. She showed a level of care that went far beyond the classroom, helping our daughter navigate a difficult time with strength and resilience. Thanks to her, our daughter bounced back quickly, both emotionally and academically. We often reflect on how fortunate we were to have crossed paths with Srta. Chavez. She was not only a wonderful teacher—she was a life-changer. The impact she had on our daughter and her classmates is something we will carry with us forever. It brings us so much comfort and hope to know that teachers like Srta. Chavez are out there—quietly, powerfully, and wholeheartedly changing lives every single day. Thank you, Srta. Chavez, from the bottom of our hearts.

Lauren Danloe Posted 4 months ago

Both of my kids have had Srta. Chávez as their kindergarten teacher, and I could not have asked for a better start to their elementary education! Srta. Chávez excels at making each child feel valued for who they are. She also maintains a very efficient and well-structured classroom and routines. I marvel at how well both of my kids began to learn a second language from her, and she even helps me understand Spanish better! I’ve also gotten to be a colleague of Srta. Chavez’s for the last 2 years, and she is friendly, professional, respectful, and brings good ideas to the table. Srta. Chávez definitely fits the description of “Life changer”!

Melanie Fleck Posted 5 months ago

Srta Chavez was the best kindergarten teacher for our son. He learned so much in all areas - his Spanish language skills (as a non-native speaker), social skills, and enthusiasm for school grew exponentially under her leadership! She understands child development in a way that brings parents on board as partners in their education, while also providing unlimited support for the students in her classroom. We are so grateful our paths crossed and know our son’s future success will be thanks so the solid foundation Srta Chavez provided!

Brianne Laster Posted 5 months ago

Our family has been fortunate to have Srta Chavez for kindergarten for two of our children. She exudes such a positive spirit that my very shy children felt comfortable and welcome in her classroom. Being immersed in a new language can be difficult for kindergarteners, but with her guidance, my children thrived. Years later, she still remains one of my children’s favorite teachers which proves her lasting impact on her students. Our community is lucky to have such a wonderful educator!

Carrie Posted 5 months ago

?We are so grateful Srta Chavez was our daughter's dual language kindergarten teacher. Every student deserves a teacher just like her - smart, fun, compassionate, dedicated, caring, firm, and kind. She challenges her students to grow, try new things, be excited about Spanish, be curious about the world, accept and celebrate differences, and so much more. Srta Chavez really gets to know her kids, she recognizes their different strengths and personalities and works hard to understand each one of them. She truly believes all kids are good kids which is an essential quality for a teacher working with any age, but especially the younger ages. She truly accepts, appreciates, teaches, and loves each one of her kids. As a parent, this means the world. Our daughter has learned so much, grown so much, has more confidence in who she is as a person and as a student all thanks to Srta Chavez. She has positively impacted our whole family this past year and we will see the impacts for years to come. She is a truly special teacher and one we'll never forget.

Rebecca Kruchten Posted 5 months ago

Srta. Chavez was the best welcome to school I could have asked for in a teacher. As a former educator myself, she’s the kind of person I would be honored to work beside. She loves, values, and honors the humanity of each student. She leads with curiosity and compassion. We are lucky to be a part of her community. She truly is a life changer.

Jamie Clark Posted 5 months ago

My son had Srta. Chavez for Kindergarten during the 2023–2024 school year, and we were so fortunate to have her as his teacher. She is incredibly kind and welcoming, creating a warm and supportive environment. Even after he moved on to 1st grade, she remained a calming and reassuring presence for him at school. She is so deserving of this award!