Rebecca Lopez Lopez Maier
Rebecca Lopez Maier is an experienced Science Instructional Lead, middle school educator, and learning and development specialist with over 10 years of classroom teaching experience in Title I schools. Currently serving with the Washoe County School District in Reno, Nevada, she is deeply passionate about science education because she believes science helps students better understand how the world works, especially in a rapidly changing society. She is committed to serving students in high-need communities and intends to continue teaching in Title I schools, where she feels she can make the greatest impact. Rebecca is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education and Teaching at the University of Nevada, Reno to further strengthen her knowledge of instructional leadership and educational innovation.
Throughout her career, Rebecca has taken on multiple leadership responsibilities while maintaining her dedication to classroom teaching. In addition to teaching middle school science in her own classroom for the past decade, she serves as the Instructional Team Lead for a team of four teachers. In this role, she acts as a key resource for behavior support, academic interventions, Individualized Education Program (IEP) coordination, and communication with school administration. She also leads her school’s social wellness committee, where she organizes activities designed to boost staff morale and strengthen school culture, including planning a school-wide rock-paper-scissors competition that she hopes will become an annual tradition. Rebecca is also expanding her leadership experience by shadowing school deans during her planning periods to gain insight into administrative and student support roles, with the goal of eventually serving as a dean substitute.
Rebecca is known for her ability to manage multiple responsibilities while maintaining a student-centered and collaborative approach to education. Her professional strengths include team building, public speaking, project management, leadership development, and educational consulting. She is motivated by the opportunity to mentor both students and colleagues, helping others grow academically and professionally. Driven by service, leadership, and a commitment to equity in education, Rebecca continues to focus on creating positive learning environments where students feel supported, challenged, and empowered to succeed.
• The University of Nevada, Reno - M.Ed
• The University of Nevada, Reno - BSEd
• NASA Johnson Space Center SEEK Grant Program
• WEA (Washoe Education Association)
• Mentoring Student Teachers
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being mentored by Tamara, my mom and dad's best friend who is a retired teacher living in California. Growing up, she was like an aunt to me, and she always had different animals that she was bringing into her classroom - terrariums with tortoise, frogs, snakes, so many cool animals - and she would use them as a real hands-on way to teach her students. I just thought that was the coolest thing. When I was in college and kept coming back to education despite trying other majors, she helped talk me through it, especially the financial concerns. Then, my very first year in my own classroom, she gave me the best advice - she told me to wait until I taught for 5 years before getting my master's, because 5 years is your burnout period. Either teachers end up loving education and they stay, or they leave. She said it would be unfortunate to go after a master's for a career you are no longer pursuing. So I waited, and then 2 years ago when Nevada was paying for 75% of a teacher's master's degree, I applied and wrote about how I've been teaching for so long and I'm definitely in this for the long haul. She's been involved in all aspects of my teaching life - before I even thought about being a teacher, when I was deciding, and then after, with helping me think about how I further my education and my career.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was from my mentor Tamara, who told me to wait until I taught for 5 years before getting my master's degree. She explained that 5 years is your burnout period - either teachers end up loving education and they stay, or 5 years is like, I can't do this anymore and they leave. So when teachers get their masters prior to that 5 years, sometimes it would be unfortunate to go after a master's for a career you are no longer pursuing. I waited just like she advised, and when I got the opportunity 2 years ago with the state legislature in Nevada paying for 75% of a teacher's master's degree, I was ready and confident in my commitment. I actually tell that same advice to other educators that come in that are like, oh, I've never been in the classroom, but I'm gonna get my master's. I'm like, hey, just so you know, think about this.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would 100% encourage young women entering this industry to go for it. I truly love this profession, even on the challenging days when I come home mentally exhausted and need time to decompress after a busy day. However, the rewarding moments make it all worthwhile, especially when I know I have successfully connected with a student or helped them understand something in a meaningful way. There is nothing more fulfilling than working in a career centered on helping others, particularly when you are helping people unlock their potential. I believe that is one of the main reasons educators remain in this profession despite its challenges. I am often asked why teachers stay in such a demanding field, and for me, the answer is simple. We stay because we care deeply about education, we care about our students, and we know we are making a positive impact on our communities. At the core, I believe the work we do is meaningful and creates lasting change, allowing me to feel fulfilled knowing I have made a difference at the end of each day.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important values to me are making a positive difference and helping people unlock their potential. I believe that education really is the key that unlocks so many doors, and I want to help my students realize that. I'm passionate about staying in Title I schools because those are the areas that really need good teachers - teachers that care and want to push their kids and want to spend the extra time and effort to get their kids to succeed. These kids really need good teachers, so I'm gonna be here for them. I know that we are doing so much good for the world and for our communities that all of that time and effort is so worthwhile. I can feel good about myself at the end of the day because I know I went out and I made a positive difference. I'm also a lifelong learner - I'm a big educational nerd. After 10 years of teaching, I'm stepping into leadership roles where I'm able to mentor other people, and I really enjoy that. In my personal life, my perfect day would be going on a walk with my husband and our three dogs. I love baking, I love singing, I love reading, and I also just love spending quality time with my friends and family.