Title: Teacher, Learning Center Director

Company: Moreland Notre Dame School

Location: Watsonville, Calif.

The most gratifying aspect of being a teacher and learning center director at Moreland Notre Dame School to Sister Clara Esker is meeting with returning alumni, who thank her for teaching them how to write well, as well as reinforcing the English skills necessary for success. By drawing upon 51 years of educational expertise in language arts, she teaches English to eight-grade students, and religion to seventh grade students, while managing composition classes for first-through eighth-grade students. Sister Esker attributes her success with students to her good sense of humor.

Sister Esker volunteers her spare time working with wildlife protection groups. She is also a fervent supporter of sports events at her school. The 2010 Moreland Notre Dame yearbook was dedicated in her honor. Initially, she became involved in her profession after receiving inspiration from her teachers and tutoring her classmate. She found that she could impart a great deal of knowledge to others. In five years, Sister Esker hopes to continue teaching and helping children express themselves.