This year at Aliso Niguel High School, English teacher Ms. Torres is leading students in Honors English I, AP Language and Composition, and Creative Writing, blending rigorous instruction with a passion for helping students grow as thinkers and writers. Her work inside the classroom shows why she has become a favorite among students and a key part of the English department.
Some people spend years searching for their career path. For Ms. Torres, the decision was made before she had even left elementary school. “I’ve wanted to be a teacher ever since I was eight,” she said. “There wasn’t anything in particular that inspired me; I just always knew. And I always knew I liked English best.”
That early certainty has carried her through more than a decade in the classroom. Counting her student teaching, this year marks her twelfth as an educator, all of them at Aliso Niguel High School. Her introduction to the school came through UC Irvine’s credential program, where she was paired with Mrs. Klasna. “It was amazing, the best mentor teacher ever,” she recalled warmly. The experience was so positive that she stayed. Ms. Torres notes, “I ended up getting hired here the next year.”
Although her path looks seamless now, she did briefly consider another direction. “I thought about getting a multiple-subject credential because I was interested in teaching psychology,” she admitted. “But to do that, you’d have to get a social science credential, and I wasn’t really interested in all the other history classes that would come with it.” In the end, her heart stayed where it had always been: with English.
Her love of the subject traces back to her own high school days in the district. As a senior at Tesoro High School, she took AP Literature with Mr. Ruffer. “I loved that class,” she said. “It was probably one of my favorite classes in high school.” Looking back, she credits many teachers in the district with shaping her, but AP Literature stands out as a formative experience.
Today, she brings that same energy and enthusiasm into her own classroom. She lights up when talking about the books she teaches, from “The Odyssey” with her freshmen to Tim O’Brien’s “The Things They Carried” with her juniors.
Ms. Torres refers to “The Things They Carried” and explains “it’s an unorthodox war book.” She says, “I don’t usually like war books, but I really love ‘The Things They Carried.’”
This year, she’s especially excited to teach Percival Everett’s “James,” a bold reimagining of “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain. In preparation, she’s been rereading Twain’s novels, diving into graphic novels, and pulling in essays from writers like Ta-Nehisi Coates. “I love books,” she said simply. “I love most of the books I teach.”
Her hopes for students vary depending on the class. For Creative Writing, it’s about finishing what they start. “A lot of students get paralyzed by perfectionism,” she said. “I hope they leave this class with the confidence that they can finish pieces.”
In AP Language and Composition, her goal is broader but equally vital: media literacy. “I want my kids to leave the class knowing they can read news articles or speeches and think for themselves. I want them to be able to form opinions based on good information, not just whatever they happen to see or hear.”
For her Honors English I students, Ms. Torres says she’s happy if they can write clear, thoughtful paragraphs and, importantly, if they enjoy the process. “With Honors English I, I’m satisfied if their paragraphs make sense, and that they at least had a little bit of fun along the way,” she remarks.
Beyond school, Ms. Torres devotes much of her time to dogs: showing, racing, and raising them. “So many of the best people I know I met through dogs,” she said with a smile. Her weekends often involve shows or practice sessions, and her October schedule already includes a major competition in Sacramento.
Still, the most rewarding part of her job happens not at dog shows, but with her students. She treasures the small moments: handwritten notes, quick greetings from alumni, or updates on former students who are now pursuing careers in medicine or law. Recently, she even met up with a group of past students for breakfast. “They’re grown people now,” she said proudly. “It’s so rewarding to see what they’ve become.”
Teaching is not without its challenges, but her perspective remains steady: guide students, celebrate progress, and remind them that their voices matter. If she could give her students one piece of advice, it would be this: have hobbies. She stated, “Find things you love outside of work, make time for them often, and protect that time–it will make you happier and a better person.”
For Ms. Torres, the love of English isn’t just about literature; it’s about the lifelong skills that stories, words, and critical thinking bring. And just as she once sat in her AP Literature classroom, inspired by a teacher who loved the subject, she now passes that inspiration on to her students.
