A teacher, mentor, colleague and friend, Maya Ybarra made a mark on this school and laid foundational bricks through her dedication and impact on students and coworkers. Following this week, Ybarra will be leaving to continue her career at Chino High School to teach at the Biomedical Science and Technology Academy.
Ybarra grew up in San Dimas, Calif.; she then moved to Lebanon in 1996 and attended high school there. In hopes of a better education, she moved back to the US in 1999 to attend college. There, Ybarra balanced finishing her teaching credential and being a long term substitute.
Once Ybarra landed her permanent teaching position, she taught advanced placement (AP) statistics, AP calculus AB and BC, integrated two enhanced, algebra two honors, precalculus, precalculus honors, CAHSEE prep and math essentials (a class no longer offered), and Link Crew for 13 years.
With all the classes Ybarra taught, she played a significant role in the development of students and colleagues, influencing not only their character, but perspective on academics and personal life. Her role on campus aided in others’ self improvement.
“I know her as a passionate teacher, she cares about her students and colleagues in the community, she’s the role model for that…she is very selfless, she cares about others, I think I want to be like her, you know, I want to do more for others, because I think she’s always doing something for others,” math teacher Elizabeth Chu said.
“I’ve learned so many things from working with her, from being more clear and concise in my language when talking about math and other academic concepts, to being more patient and giving more of myself to my students each and every day,” fellow math teacher Joseph Osterberg said.
Not only did Ybarra impact her colleagues, students on campus also recognize her work.
“Ms. Ybarra is very caring, she would tell me where I need to improve and what I need to work on… she is a great person,” freshman Lucio Rivas said.
Helping students to not only improve their academic performance, but motivating and inspiring them to better themselves, has been one of the key components and impacts of Ybarra’s time here.
In hopes of involving students on campus more, Ybarra organized Link Crew, a leadership class dedicated to welcoming incoming freshmen to campus.
“Her involvement in Link Crew was really something she started, she had started the club and class. She was a Renaissance advisor for a year or two, and then she started Link Crew; she pioneered it, all the activities you see on campus, she started. I think she, you need to give her more credit, it’s amazing, because I think Link Crew does such an amazing job,” Chu said.
Despite Ybarra leaving, her work, care, and passion for the school will remain on campus.
“West Covina High School is such a special place, and I think it’s special because of how hard everyone works and how kind everyone is. So keep being kind, keep supporting each other, I think we can only grow as a Bulldog family, whether I’m here or not, we’re always a family,” Ybarra said.
