Main Body
Across the YMCA, teachers show up each day not just to educate, but to connect, to encourage, and to help young people discover who they are and who they can become. They are steady presences in moments of uncertainty, champions of curiosity, and quiet builders of confidence. Whether it’s in an early learning classroom, an afterschool program, or a camp setting, Y educators create spaces where every child feels seen, supported, and inspired to grow.
This Teacher Appreciation Week, May 4-8, we celebrate the educators across the Y movement who bring this mission to life in ways both big and small. Of course, these are just a few example of hundreds of YMCA teachers and classroom aides across the country who embody the YMCA’s values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
A Classroom Built on Trust and Growth
At the New Rochelle YMCA, Ms. Doreen exemplifies what it means to meet children exactly where they are and gently guide them forward. In her pre-kindergarten classroom, learning goes far beyond letters and numbers. It’s about building trust, fostering confidence, and creating an environment where every child feels they belong.
One student began the year quietly, hesitant to engage and more comfortable observing than participating. Ms. Doreen saw not a limitation, but an opportunity. Through thoughtful one-on-one connection, small group activities tailored to the child’s interests, and consistent encouragement, she helped create a sense of safety that allowed the student to slowly open up. By midyear, that same child was raising their hand during circle time and laughing alongside classmates.
It’s a transformation that reflects Ms. Doreen’s approach; steady, intentional, and deeply rooted in understanding how children grow. Her classroom is a place where structure provides comfort, creativity fuels exploration, and relationships form the foundation for lifelong learning. Families and colleagues alike see the difference, not just in academic readiness, but in the confidence and joy her students carry with them.
A Full Circle Journey
For Amy Najarro Bojorquez, the YMCA has been part of her story since childhood, long before she ever stepped into a classroom as a teacher. Growing up in Peru, her earliest memories of the Y were filled with music, laughter, and a sense of joy that would later take on deeper meaning.
At eight years old, Amy attended an ACJ Peru summer camp, an experience that would stay with her for years to come. She tried new activities, from swimming and volleyball to arts, dance, and theater, and embraced every opportunity with excitement. She remembers the pride she felt in stepping outside her comfort zone, the friendships she formed, and the simple magic of camp traditions; from seaside adventures to evenings around a bonfire filled with songs and stories.
Years later, after moving to the United States and navigating the challenges of a new language and culture, Amy found her way back to the Y, this time as an assistant teacher at the YMCA of Greenwich’s Early Learning Center. Today, she helps create the same sense of belonging and discovery that once shaped her.
She often reflects on how full circle the journey feels, from a child experiencing the Y’s impact firsthand to an educator now providing that same care and encouragement to others. Through her work, Amy continues a cycle that defines the YMCA at its best; a place where experiences spark growth, and where those who are supported often go on to support others.
Leading with Care, Every Day
For more than 13 years, Bree has been a dedicated presence in the Santa Maria Valley YMCA Young 
Children’s Preschool (YCP) program, bringing consistency, patience, and genuine care into the classroom each day. Her impact is felt not just in the growth of the children she teaches, but in the trust and connection she builds with families.
Bree has a natural ability to connect with children of all personalities, helping each one feel seen, valued, and encouraged. Her classroom is a space where confidence grows alongside social and emotional development, grounded in a sense of safety and belonging.
Alongside her, Teacher Neidy brings the same spirit of compassion and warmth. She leads with kindness, meeting children where they are and ensuring every child feels special. Her positive energy helps create an environment where children are excited to learn and comfortable being themselves.
Together, Bree and Neidy represent the heart of the YCP program. They are more than educators, they are mentors, role models, and a steady, uplifting presence in the lives of the children they serve. Through their dedication and ability to build meaningful relationships, they embody the YMCA’s mission in action.
Our Appreciation for All Teachers
These stories are just a glimpse into the extraordinary work happening across YMCAs every day. Behind each one, is an educator who understands that teaching is not just about instruction—it’s about connection, belonging, and the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive.
To all YMCA educators: thank you for the countless ways you show up, the lives you shape, and the communities you continue to strengthen.