As the door to room 305 closes, Cindy Ramirez, newest English teacher at Colton High School, begins to reminisce about her humble beginnings. Ramirez pulls up a chair for her own comfort. There is an utter silence now when she states enthusiastically, “I love working here at Colton for the students and staff.”

Ramirez grew up in Los Angeles with a diverse array of cultures around her. In describing how her life was growing up, she simply said “good,” as if it was like most children, and it was. Like most kids she placed lots of effort on school. Her mom would even be supportive towards Ramirez, by urging Ramirez to always do her best no matter what comes in her way. Being the religious person she is, she expressed that she lives by Proverbs 3:5-6 from the Bible: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.”

It seemed to work too. It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Ramirez. In February of 2016 Ramirez was in a bad car accident, hit directly from the side. Luckily she wasn’t seriously injured. She just needed an overnight stay at the hospital. That was when Ramirez realized the Bible verse she lived off of will always guide her down the right path–whether there are bumps and bruises, she will be okay.

Now she is here as a teacher instructing and inspiring the bright students at CHS. She smiles as she says, “I kinda knew I was gonna end up here.”