Somerset ISD's Lisa Riojas Makes Numbers Come Alive!

Lisa Riojas has a natural enthusiasm for life and a passion for her fourth- and fifth-graders at Somerset Elementary. When she teaches math, there is no "finger-counting." Instead she insists that her students make mental calculations.

"Every day is that first time they learn something new. It's just the most rewarding and thrilling thing I could ever imagine. And I get to experience the first steps and first words all the time," Riojas said.

Riojas approaches her students as a mentor and a friend. She encourages each child to focus on the future and stresses the importance of an education.

"I don’t want the question to ever be, ‘Am I going to college?’ I want the question to be, ‘Which one am I going to?’ I want them to know that opportunity is out there, for all of them," Riojas said.