“Ms. Barron uses design, creativity, and innovation to create beautiful and cohesive assignment units. By creating a visually appealing and engaging assignment, she creates a standard of excellence in her class and inspires her students to approach each assignment with the same care and attention.”

— Alexandria Arguelles, Assistant Principal of Student Services | Notre Dame High School

“Several times a year, Yessenia independently organized art field trips for her students to art museums and galleries, including my place of work, UCR ARTS: California Museum of Photography & Culver Center of the Arts in downtown Riverside. I saw firsthand how she introduced and engaged her students in local and broader communities of art and history. Taking learning beyond the classroom, she exampled the value of art and exploration by sharing experiences with students. Yessenia cheerfully inspires curiosity, excitement, and involvement with her students and the surrounding community.” 

— Grace Saunders LeBlanc, Exhibition Designer | UCR ARTS: California Museum of Photography & Culver Center of the Arts

“Yessenia has a way of connecting with her students and building a rapport that helped the students get the most out of her classroom learning experience. I know that students felt respected, cared for, and safe in her class, which helped them with their creativity, self-esteem, and overall academics. Despite being a fun class that students enjoyed, she also ensured that students would learn, be held accountable, and have a fulfilling and challenging level of education in her class. The students respected her in return, and she maintained good classroom management while always keeping a calm demeanor.”

— Yolanda Rodriguez, Social Science Teacher & Department Chair | Notre Dame High School

“Yessenia is a committed, compassionate, and talented teacher at our school. Notre Dame is a small school, and many of my students are also students in her classes. I regularly see the work they do and hear them talk about their assignments, and for students with an interest in art, she is a beacon of inspiration. Yessenia also provides students with ways to use their art skills outside of the school at gallery showings and even at community service events.”

— Andrew Culver, English Teacher & Department Chair | Notre Dame High School

“Working with Yessenia—I have seen her students thrive both in and out of the classroom due to her efforts in curating lesson plans that encourage creativity through learning. With her help, students take pride in their work and light up with joy when sharing the art they have created. Yessenia does a phenomenal job of including technology in her lesson plans, which takes her learning environment to new levels. She takes the time to nurture her students’ passion for art in many beautiful ways, such as designing a mural to paint on campus with them for all to enjoy. Yessenia’s teaching leaves a positive and lifelong impact on her students.”

— Gabriella Chikani, Former English & Yearbook Teacher | Notre Dame High School

“Ms. Barron has created significant contributions to our school with new courses and student art exhibitions to display student achievements to our community. She always comes with new ideas and is always innovative with her tasks. She is a great employee and I know she is destined to achieve more.”

— RaeAnna Ashton, Former Principal | Notre Dame High School

“Ms. Barron, thank you for your service, dedication, and ministry to teach at Notre Dame High School! You have made a difference for all our students and our community is stronger because of it.”

— The Leadership Team | Notre Dame High School