T-R PHOTO BY LANA BRADSTREAM Marshalltown School District Anson Elementary second grade teacher Erica Sanchez helps her students learn to read on Tuesday. She is a veteran teacher of the district.

Meet a veteran teacher of the Marshalltown School District — Erica Sanchez.

Sanchez is originally from Cedar Falls. She and her husband, Elias, have two children — a 6-year-old daughter named Arlet and a son, Ezra, 3.

She graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls with a bachelor’s degree in elementary and early childhood education. Sanchez later attended Viterbo University in West Des Moines and earned a master’s degree in education. Most recently, she completed her ESL endorsement through Morningside College in Sioux City.

Sanchez has been a second grade teacher at Anson Elementary for 16 years, teaching science, social studies and health. She spends her days teaching reading and helps her students develop vocabulary, comprehension strategies, phonics, phonemic awareness and fluency. Sanchez also helps them develop social emotional skills and performs math and reading interventions. Prior to teaching full-time, she was a substitute teacher for the Marshalltown School District.

Q: Why did you decide to become a teacher?

A: I was lucky to have an amazing second grade teacher that inspired me to become a teacher myself. She was caring, encouraging and made learning so much fun. Along with her inspiration, I also really enjoyed working with children. I enjoy helping them learn and grow, as well as supporting them in reaching their fullest potential. Helping children to gain confidence and believe in themselves is a very rewarding part of being in education.

Q: What is it like being a teacher at your school?

A: I really enjoy being a teacher at Anson Elementary. I have a lot of supportive and caring co-workers that I can always depend on, both professionally and personally. Some of my closest friendships have formed with co-workers here at Anson. The students at Anson are outstanding. I have the pleasure of working with caring, hard working kids everyday that encourage me to learn and grow as a teacher. There can be challenging days but my colleagues and I are able to pull together and support each other when we need to.

Q: What are the best aspects of your job?

A: The best aspects of my job are my grade level teaching team, my students and their families. In second grade, we collaborate and support each other daily. My second grade teaching partners and I really bring out the best in each other. We work like a well-oiled machine and that makes all of our jobs so much easier. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to work with so many amazing students at Anson. Through the year in second grade, I see students learn, grow and change so much. It is a remarkable transformation that happens during the school year. Along with my students come their families. I am so appreciative of the support that parents provide as I work their children all year. I have had many siblings throughout the years which allows me to really get to know parents and families. It is such a joy to work with families and develop those connections with students’ home lives.

Q: What are the biggest challenges you face?

A: Time! There is never enough time in the day to do all of the things that I need to do. I strive to do what is best for my students with the time that I have. Sometimes that takes some creative thinking and planning. Another challenge for me is accepting the parts of my job that I cannot control. There are many decisions and factors in my position that are out of my control. I must focus on the things that I can control and do the best that I can for my students.

Q: What do you want the people of Marshalltown to know about your job, the school, the district, etc.?

A: The Marshalltown Community School District is filled with great people, students and staff. Students work hard and give it their all, doing the best they can with their individual situations. Teachers and other staff members put in long, hard hours trying to do what is best for students. When looking at the Marshalltown Schools, there are many things to be proud of. Students and staff are given many opportunities to shine.

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?

A: Being a teacher and a mom keeps me very busy. When I do have spare time, I enjoy reading, listening to music, exercising, cooking, baking and spending quality time with my children. My family loves to have game nights and movie nights. We like to do crafts and projects together. Another family favorite at my house checking out new parks. We love to be outside together and find new places to play.