When Everyone Else Saw Challenges, She Saw Potential — Emma Servera Named Teacher of the Month
Sylvie Belmond 
Image Credit: Simi Valley Education Foundation – Teacher of the Month honoree Emma Servera (center in pink shirt) is joined by district and community leaders. From left: SVUSD Superintendent Dr. Hani Youssef; Assist. Superintendent Sean Goldman, Chelsie Kennedy, representing Supervisor Janice Parvin; Lori Neiman, SVUSD Director of Elementary Education; Ryan Fowler, SVEF Board President; Knolls Elementary Principal Kendra Speights; Kathy Vega, representing Congresswoman Julia Brownley; Ryan Valencia, representing State Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin; and Jodi Loomis, SVUSD Program Specialist II.
For many students, the classroom is where confidence begins — and where the right teacher can change everything. At Knolls Elementary School, that teacher is Emma Servera.
(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — The Simi Valley Education Foundation has named Emma Servera of Knolls Elementary School as its January Teacher of the Month.
Servera serves as a Special Day Class teacher, a role defined by the California Department of Education as providing specialized instruction and services for students with disabilities whose needs cannot be met in a general education setting alone.
Within the Simi Valley Unified School District, Special Day Class teachers support students academically, socially, and behaviorally while working toward appropriate opportunities for inclusion.
That work is at the heart of Servera’s classroom. She collaborates closely with general education teachers and support staff to help students successfully transition into mainstream classrooms when they are ready. Known for her creativity and persistence, she continually adapts instruction to meet individual student needs and advocates for each child’s growth.
The Teacher of the Month program recognizes educators across the district who make a meaningful impact in their schools. Community support plays a central role in that recognition.
Each month, local businesses and organizations contribute tokens of appreciation to honorees, reinforcing a shared belief that education is everyone’s business, the foundation said in a statement.
Participating partners include Chick-fil-A, Grand Canyon University, Harley’s Bowl, Iverson Construction, Logix Federal Credit Union, the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce, Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, the Simi Valley YMCA, Eric Little with State Farm Insurance, Ventura County Credit Union, and the Walt Fuller Foundation.
“Together, we send a clear message that the business community supports and values the dedication of our teachers,” said Ryan Fowler, Board President of the Simi Valley Education Foundation.
Founded in 1989, the foundation has invested more than $2.5 million in Simi Valley public schools through classroom grants, school-wide projects, department enhancements, and scholarships for graduating seniors.
For more information about the Teacher of the Month program, contact Cindy Jacoby at (877) SIMI-KIDS or visit www.svef.org.
