Shannon Hebert is a fourth grade teacher at Playa del Rey Elementary. She has been teaching for two years, and notes that teaching is something that’s in her blood.

“I grew up in a family full of teachers,” explains Hebert. “My mom is a teacher. All my sisters are teachers.”

Hebert says she knew when she was in elementary school that she wanted to be a teacher, too, just like her mother and her three sisters.

Hebert grew up in Texas in a community north of Houston. She moved to Arizona this past summer. She says her students might be surprised to find out that “growing up, I didn’t love learning.” Hebert says that because of that, “I have a soft spot for those who struggle, because I was once in their position.”

The one subject she always loved in school was math, Hebert says, and now she loves teaching it. These days, Hebert embraces the idea of a growth mindset.

“I tell my students that it’s always important to have a growth mindset. We will do things that are challenging, but if they have a growth mindset they can do anything,” Hebert says.

Hebert was nominated by student Skyy, who noted, “She’s really nice and makes learning more fun. I love school because of her.”

In her free time, Hebert enjoys watching football—especially the Arizona Cardinals—and traveling. She says her favorite destination is by the ocean. “The beach is my favorite place,” she says.

Hebert enjoys the outdoors overall, and likes to go hiking or running. She says she has joined the pickeball craze, so you can probably find her on a pickleball court whenever she can pick up a paddle.

For winter break, Hebert will be heading to Texas to visit her family. She is happy that she followed in her family members’ footsteps—into the classroom. It is where she has found her calling.

“I love kids, I love spending time with them,” says Hebert. “I have a really strong passion and love for what I do. I love getting to spend my day with fourth graders.”