After teaching for 26 years in Palm Beach County, Lhisa Almashy has one piece of advice for teachers, “Remember the power of one.” “Remember that you have the ability to affect change in one classroom, with one student, in one moment,” Almashy said. “Every moment is a new chance to make a difference. You can change a life.”
Almashy, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teacher, Social Studies teacher, and coach for both varsity soccer and varsity diving, still found time to become a National Urban Alliance mentor. Being so involved in sports, Almashy said one of the aspects that prompted her to become a mentor was NUA’s belief in teamwork and partnerships. She says that her time as a mentor has taught her that you can always do better, and you don’t have to do it alone. Almashy, while a mentor in Buffalo, said her teaching style is all about being interactive and building relationships. “In education, we talk so much about raising test scores, but I really believe in raising people’s spirits,” she said. “If we can raise students’ hopes and awareness in their potential, everything else will follow.”
Almashy has a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and theatre and a Master of Arts degree in TESOL from the University of San Francisco. She earned her doctorate from Vanderbilt University. She won the esteemed Dwyer Award for Special Programs in 2009, the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education for the State of Florida and The Hispanic Teacher of the Year Award for Palm Beach County in 2010. She also earned national recognition with The 2013 Teaching Tolerance Award for Excellence in Culturally Responsive Teaching. Almashy says it is an asset being bilingual and having family from Venezuela. She loves helping students succeed in two languages and loves helping them realize that being bilingual is one of their strengths as well. “The best way to reach students is to validate their humanity,” Almashy said. “Let them know you see them, say hello. Some students go through a whole day without anyone greeting them. Try to understand them, don’t judge them, get to know them and their interests. See them as a person.”
Lhisa Almashy, Ed.D. lhisaalmashy15@gmail.com