Caring Teacher from San Jose Receives Special Recognition
SAN JOSE, Calif. — First-grade teacher Tracy Nees is known for one standout quality: her caring nature. Nees, who teaches at John J. Montgomery Elementary School, believes in connecting with her students on a personal level. “I just care,” she said during a break in her classroom. “I care for who they are and I care about them as people.”
Every day, as her students line up to enter the classroom, she greets them with open arms, offering high-fives, fist bumps, or hugs. Principal Jamie Hammond praised Nees, saying, “She’s caring, compassionate, and kind. She really takes the time to understand each student’s personality.”
Nees didn’t always plan to be a teacher. She initially worked in Silicon Valley’s tech industry but shifted to being a stay-at-home mom after her daughter was born. As her daughter grew, Nees began working as a teacher’s aide. When her daughter went off to college, Nees took the courageous step of returning to school in her 40s, ultimately earning a master’s degree in education from San Jose State. She then started teaching first and second grade, embracing the idea of nurturing and teaching a new group of children every year.
Recently, her dedication was recognized by the San Francisco 49ers when she was named “Teacher of the Game” during an event at Levi’s Stadium. “She stood out as someone who truly goes above and beyond for her students,” said Sofy Navarro, from the 49ers Foundation. For Nees, a lifelong fan of the 49ers, this acknowledgment was especially meaningful. “When I got the email, it brought a tear to my eye,” she shared, reminiscing about attending games with her father.
Nees was nominated for this honor by the family of a former student. Jessica Martinez, whose daughter Aliyah was in Nees’ class two years ago, expressed gratitude, saying, “She has made a huge impact on our family.” Even now, Aliyah looks for Nees whenever she needs support, stating, “I really miss being in her class.”
For Nees, teaching is a two-way street. “I learn from them as much as they learn from me,” she explained. “Getting to know my students is like making the world smaller and bigger at the same time.”
In a world that often feels disconnected, Tracy Nees’s caring approach makes a big difference in the lives of her students and their families.
