Her Story
About Elaine
I have been in my field for almost 30 years, working across multiple areas that all connect to helping vulnerable populations. I started as a preschool teacher and then became a teacher, but I focused specifically on special education because I am hard of hearing myself. As a child, I faced rejection because I couldn't hear well, and they would pull me from classes. I never learned to read or write until I was maybe in the fourth grade. Growing up was very difficult, and I was mocked, so I decided I couldn't do this to my children and students. I created different lesson books to help students with special needs like ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, and diphtheria stay focused and be part of the classroom while also teaching other students that we are not all perfect and we all have struggles. I taught my students not to point fingers but to help each other, and we became more of a family unit rather than just a classroom. I became a godmother for almost 20 students, and now some of them are already graduated with families of their own. After my teaching experience, I decided to go into neuroscience and study neuroscience behavior to find out techniques to help children who suffer with dyslexia or diphtheria, who have problems putting thoughts into words and words into writing. I would teach them poetry and mystery stories first, then have them paint to help them relax before writing, because those with these challenges become very tense and hold the pencil very strictly, which causes frustration. I also became an advocate for the elderly against elder abuse and financial exploitation, working with both my father and mother. My father was involved in a case where they were going to illegally take their home away, and I managed to save my father's home from being illegally sold. I became an ambassador for the Elder coalition and a mandate reporter, and now I'm in the process of becoming a victim assistant trainer. Beyond this work, I have broken barriers throughout my life. In 1989, at a young age, I entered the Miss America Organization Scholarship pageantry with no experience, no agent, no photography background, and I became Miss Congeniality 1989 as the first hard of hearing female. I continued doing pageantry and now hope to hold the title of Miss Executive of United America for 2027. In 1997, I became the third female to graduate as a firefighter from Santa Ana College and completed the firefighter agility test in Long Beach 10 minutes past the time, even though I was mocked for being female. I also participated in the Super Bowl 2026. At 55 years old, I continue my teaching for special needs students and my advocacy work, trying to break stereotypes that you're too old to pursue your dreams. My goal is not to be recognized but to fulfill my life by doing things accordingly to what life can bring me, knowing that I've done the right thing in life.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Elaine
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success the strength and inner soul beauty of my mother but also the wisdom and courage of my father ...
My parents both gave me a lots of courage and resilience and boldness to confront them even when life seem so unfair .
Especially now in 2026 that we live in a society that racism and not being acknowledged whether gender, race or limited our voices is now an all time high.
The best I can do in this lifetime is to pursue with dignity and trusti within myself Trust in you is the most hard core strength you can have especially when people will try to defame or destroy your " Auora and Beliefs "
"YOUR INNER FAITH ,YOUR HEART ,YOUR SOUL , AND YOUR MIND " is the most important ..I will repeat again " FAITH, HEART, SOUL AND MIND " is what you need to protect at all time high and forever til your last dying breath ..No one will validate you unless you validate yourself firmly and knowing you are worth 💯...
Inner strength and belief are " Devine Powers " especially as a women we should hold strong on our inner core faith .to make our success, our happiness, and our recognitions to be known for in whatever direction your journey takes you ...
I was taught to learn 💯 " Dance under a stormy weather " ..a saying that when rejection of recognitions or interruption by people who they don't wish you great success one need to learn to navigate those situations...
I once said all my awards and recognitions are the reflections of both my parents...
My parents were not perfect ...I'm sure it was a learning experience for them ..
No parents come with a handbook but I know deep down they try their best and taught me to be BOLD AND HAVE DIGNITY WITHIN ME ..AND NOT STRUGGLES SO MUCH WITH NEGATIVE THOUGHTS THAT PEOPLE PLANT IN OUR MINDS THAT CAN LITERALLY DESTROY US ...WE NEED INNER STRENGTH TO REBUKE THOSE NEGATIVE VIBES AND PROTECT YOUR AURORA....IT WHAT SHINE WITHIN YOU ✨️..!!!...
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice was when "MY BOSS " told me " YOU CAN NOT SUCCEED IN HER POSITION AS DIRECTOR OF A PRESCHOOL CENTER AND I RESPONDED HMMMM I PAUSE FOR A BIT AND LOOK AT MY BOSS AND LEAN OVER AND SAID NICELY "WATCH ME " .... CLOSELY BECAUSE I KNOW I CAN SUCCEED IN ANY DIRECTION IN THIS FIELD SO DONT GET TOO COMFORTABLE IN YOUR SEAT BECAUSE SOON THAT SEAT WILL BE MINE ". AND IT WAS IN 2014 ...
SOMETIMES YOUR INNER STRENGTH AND VOICE MUST BATTLE ITSELF WHAT IN FRONT OF YOU BUT WITH A CALM AND RESPECTFUL VOICE YET WITH A FIRM AFFIRMATION ...
AS LONG AS IT FOR YOUR POSITIVE JOURNEY TO RISE YOU HAVE THAT INNER VOICE IN YOU ...
DONT BE JUST A LADY WITH JUST A PRETTY FACE BE EVERYTHING IN POSITIVES WAYS AND HIGHER LEVELS WHEN NO ONE BELIEVES IN YOU ..
NO ONE HAS THAT PERMISSION TO TELLYOU AND SAY " YOU CAN NOT" BECAUSE " YOU CAN BE EVERYTHING YOU DESIRE TO BE " AS LONG AS IN GOOD FAITH IN YOUR JOURNEY. ...
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
A great actress once said " If Eve turned this planet upside down we as women can turn it right up again and make it right ✅️ "
Another famous quotes by Barracks Obama " Just because your in this position in your life right now does not mean it your destiny "
My advice is stay focus 💯 on your goals be original be your own Miss Universe ...the universe is your it all how you navigate it when you land back on earth from your journey...Each star is a soul telling a story ..create your story be your own risen star ...
By Elaine Elle Espinosa
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge I face is trying to break barriers and stereotypes when people have tried to limit my potential people have try to defame even families members have envy me and wishes the worst for me ...there is no perfect family BUT!!! WHEN I LOOK IN THE MIRROR I HAVE TO REALIZE...MY DEVINE ANGELS, GOD, AND MY PARENTS INCLUDING MY PRECIOUS DOG ARE MY ONLY FAMILY....
Even though I'm 56 years old, I try to break barriers makes history saying to myself " Im my own historical favorite person"
By Elaine Elle Espinosa
Without that mind frame you won't be able to keep going forward ..our mind have to be strong able to confront battles that life bring us ..
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
" BE HUMBLE ,BE STRONG BE LOYAL. BE THE BEST VERSION OF YOURSELF EACH AND EVERYDAY ..NEVER FORGET WHERE YOU COME FROM ...LIFE HAS IT UP AND DOWN ...BE ABLE TO SHINE WHEN THINGS ARE TOUGH AND BE GRATEFUL WHEN LIFE REWARD YOU ."
By Elaine Elle Espinosa
" PROTECT YOUR MIND , PROTECT YOUR HEART AND PROTECT YOUR AUORA 3 MAJOR DEVINE GIFTS 🎁 FROM GOD ONE MUST PROTECT AT ALL COST TO TAKE YOU TO YOUR GREATEST SUCCESS .."
BY: ELAINE ELLE ESPINOSA
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