Denisha Saucedo, a sixth grade teacher at Kent Elementary, has been named the Kent School District Teacher of the Year for 2017.

Saucedo exemplifies to her students what it is to be helpful, kind, responsible and caring, according to a student essay nominating her for the honor.

Saucedo is one of 10 teachers nominated for Teacher of the Year in the District.

“It’s shocking and I feel like there’s so many great and amazing teachers out there,” Suacedo said in a press release from the school district. “I feel honored to be recognized for what I try to give my students on daily basis, which is opportunity.”

Kent Elementary Principal Rosa Villarreal described Saucedo as superior in helping students develop academic and social emotional learning, as well as supporting her peers as a fourth-year mentor and a Professional Learning Community facilitator for nine years.

Saucedo gradated from Kent-Meridian High School in 1997. She attributes her dedication to teaching to her own experiences as a student.

“Through good and bad experiences, it was important to have great teachers who could give me the opportunity to exceed,” she said. “I moved a lot, went to a lot of different schools and saw the difference between adults who were really there and understood versus the ones that tried to understand but would make excuses. Don’t make excuses. Give students the chance to be capable.”