Gadsden Superintendent Esparza shapes future educators at the SLLC
July 15, 2025San Luis, Ariz. (July 15, 2025) – Gadsden Elementary School District Superintendent Lizette Esparza recently completed her first year teaching the Cultural Diversity in Education course at the Arizona Western College San Luis Learning Center (SLLC). Esparza brings a seasoned perspective to the teaching role, not only mentoring students but also connecting them with open positions in the school district.
“Finding local leaders who care and want to give back helps us live out our mission of transforming lives and communities,” said Susanna Zambrano, AWC Associate Dean for South Yuma County Services. “When students are supported by people who believe in them, they’re more likely to start strong, stay motivated, and finish what they set out to do. I’m grateful for Ms. Esparza’s commitment to helping young adults reach their dreams of becoming educators.”
In the spring of 2025, Esparza began teaching the Cultural Diversity in Education (EDU 210 005) at the SLLC. She brings over 20 years of experience in education to the class, which examines the relationship of cultural values to the formation of a child's self-concept and learning styles. Also incorporated in the course is an examination of the roles of prejudice, stereotyping, and cultural incompatibilities in education.
“Teaching my first cultural diversity class was a journey where I wasn’t just a teacher,” Esparza shared, “I realized that teaching wasn’t just about sharing knowledge—it was about creating connection, confronting bias, and learning to honor the richness each student brings to the class.”
Shortly after the completion of spring course, Esparza was able to find multiple students jobs within the Gadsden Elementary School District. One such student, Efren Haro, landed a position teaching music as a long-term substitute.
“Taking Lizette Esparza’s EDU 210 class was a meaningful and engaging experience that supported my growth as a new music teacher,” Haro reflected. “As someone who began teaching this year, I found the course especially valuable in helping me build a strong foundation in educational theory and classroom management. Professor Esparza created an inclusive and supportive learning environment where I felt comfortable asking questions and connecting course content to my real-world teaching experiences. Her passion for education and practical approach to teaching made the material relevant and applicable to my own classroom. The course not only helped me reflect on my teaching practices but also gave me tools to better support and engage my students through music.”
The Cultural Diversity in Education course is offered every spring semester at the AWC San Luis Learning Center, 1340 N. 8th Avenue. The course is suitable for anyone interested in the field of Education or working with children. For more information, call the SLLC at (928) 314-9449.
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Caption information: Efren Haro, a student in the EDU-210 course, landed a long term substitute contract teaching music with the Gadsden Elementary School District.
Contact:
Susanna Zambrano
Associate Dean for South Yuma County Services
Arizona Western College
susanna.zambrano@azwestern.edu
(928) 314-9426