This Hispanic Heritage Month, Davis School District is proud to highlight the work and story of Monica Perez, a fifth-grade Spanish immersion teacher at Sand Springs Elementary School. Perez said teaching allows her to guide young minds and learn alongside them every day.
“I love guiding young minds and learning alongside them every day,” Perez said. “Teaching gives me the chance to grow with my students while sharing the joy of language and culture.”
Perez said one of her biggest inspirations came from a junior high teacher. As the only Latina teacher in her school in the 1990s, the teacher made Perez feel seen and supported during a time when she was struggling to fit in after moving from Mexico to Utah.
“She inspired me to become a teacher so I could create that same sense of belonging for my students,” Perez said.
Her heritage is central to her teaching. Each day, she shares Mexican language, art, music, traditions and dances with her students.
“I believe that culture and language together open doors to deeper understanding and appreciation of the world,” Perez said.
She hopes her work inspires students to see themselves as future leaders.
“My goal is to help them embrace their strengths and know that they can make a difference in the world,” she said.
Celebrating Our Own - Monica Perez
October 20, 2025
