As part of our TIA-Level IV Teacher Spotlight series, YES Prep is proud to highlight educators whose dedication and expertise strengthen our mission every day. This week, we shine a spotlight on Kassandra Olvera, AP Spanish Language and Literature teacher at YES Prep East End Secondary, who has spent four years inspiring students to embrace their identity, their voice, and their future.
Discovering Her Purpose in the Classroom
Kassandra didn’t always envision herself as a teacher. In fact, she once imagined that teaching might be a path she explored much later in life. But a move to Houston, and the influence of remarkable educators, changed that timeline.
“Initially, my career path was different, but curiosity brought me to Houston and eventually led me to the field of education,” she shared.
When she joined YES Prep North Forest, her first YES Prep campus, and witnessed the passion her colleagues brought into their classrooms, something clicked. What she once expected to discover in retirement became the calling she wanted to pursue immediately.
Inspired by the Educators Who Shaped Her
Throughout her schooling, Kassandra was surrounded by teachers who made learning meaningful, personal, and empowering. Their example continues to guide the teacher she strives to be today. As she reflects on her journey, she credits “the amazing teachers I had through my whole academic journey and the influential educators I met at the start of my career” as the reason she chose to step into the classroom.
Teaching with Empathy and Intention
For Kassandra, effective teaching begins with understanding her students’ perspectives. She takes time to consider how they learn whether visually, auditorily, independently, or collaboratively and builds lessons that allow each student to feel supported and challenged.
Her goal is to make learning both rigorous and enjoyable, creating a classroom environment where students feel seen, valued, and capable.
A Moment That Stays With Her
Among the many students she has taught, Ana’s story remains one of the most memorable. Ana was full of potential but needed consistent guidance and reassurance. Kassandra called home regularly, offered tutoring sessions during lunch, and supported her through complex writing assignments. She also spent time talking with Ana about her dreams, first of becoming a fashion designer, and later of helping others through a career in nursing.
Ana graduated in May 2025, confident, supported, and determined. On graduation day, she and her parents thanked Kassandra through tears for being a steady pillar throughout her journey at North Forest. Moments like that, Kassandra says, remind her why she teaches.
Why She Teaches at YES Prep
What keeps Kassandra at YES Prep is the deep sense of community and the opportunity to build relationships that extend far beyond the classroom. To her, YES Prep is a place where educators can honor students’ culture and heritage, celebrate their identities, and support first-generation students as they pave their own path to college.
It is, she says, the ideal place for teachers who want to be part of students’ milestones—big and small—and help them build a better future for themselves and the generations that will follow.
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If you are inspired by teachers like Kassandra and want to grow your career in a community that values purpose, belonging, and continued development, now is the time to take the next step. We have multiple positions open across our campuses, including teacher applications for select schools for the 2026–2027 school year. Join a team that believes in your growth as much as you believe in your students. Click here to explore open roles.
Stay tuned as we continue our TIA-Level IV Teacher Spotlight series, recognizing the educators whose passion and excellence elevate the Power of YES across our campuses.