Travis Unified Teachers Association member Francine Caires teaches at Vanden and has taught students from K-12th grade as a Special Educator for 27 years. She found her love for teaching while volunteering in classes as a mom. Having a natural aptitude to work with children, she left her banking job, and joined the teaching profession—first as an instructional assistant and then as a teacher. Francine is inspired by her students. She loves the challenge of finding creative strategies to work with each one; there is no one-size-fits-all when working with kids. Her advice to new teachers is, “Don’t give up. Every child can learn; you just have to figure it out. There is no cookie-cutter lesson.” Francine is retiring this year, and we wish her the best in the next chapter of her life!
