New Ed Support teacher wants to create a safe space for digital learners

Shalhevet’s new educational support specialist, Ms. Connie Torres, is also a yoga and positive psychology coach who loves to create connections, relate to and solidify trust with her students. 

Ms. Torres tutors General Studies classes and supports students who are enrolled in online classes due to learning differences and emotional needs. 

“My philosophy is to let them know I am in a safe space and that they could talk to me,” Ms. Torres said in an interview on Aug. 25.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Ms. Torres became interested in educational support while working as a teacher’s assistant at a private school in Downey. Then, she worked as a behavioral therapist for Behavioral Health Works in Orange County for children as young as four and as old as 16 with conditions such as autism and ADHD.

“Those two jobs, really just it just set in the reality that I belong in education and psychology and I’m just trying to combine both, both degrees,” Ms. Torres said. “With the TA job that I had, it felt right, I just felt like I, it felt natural like, it felt like that is what I should be doing.”

Ms. Torres is currently working towards a B.A. in psychology at Cal State Fullerton, then hopes to enroll into a master’s program and a doctoral program, combining her two interests of psychology and education.

Prior to transitioning into the realm of education, she worked in marketing for the shoe brand Vans.

“Working corporate jobs, I learned that that just wasn’t me,” she said. “So I do definitely belong in education psychology.”

When she entered the field of education and psychology, it felt natural and her favorite part of her role is forging relationships with her students. 

In her free time, Ms. Torres likes attending concerts, cooking, enjoying nature, and doing yoga. 

Community Editor Joshua Gamson contributed to this story