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PROVO — A teacher who really cares about her students received a High 5 this week.
Gina Solis is an English teacher at Independence High School in Provo, an alternative school for students struggling in regular public school.
"I try to help kids that don't have anywhere to go. This type of environment has kids that need someone to care about them more than just their schoolwork," she said.
Rosanna Ungerman, principal at Independence, said, "The thing I enjoy about coming to Gina's classroom is there is always a healthy conversation, there is always a connection with the students."
Gina is in her third year at Independence and teaches freshmen and seniors.
"I love them all," she said. "They all bring something different. I love the maturity of the seniors and the silliness of the freshmen - sorry guys."
One of the senior students said, "She encourages us all to do better, encourages us all to do our best, to not give up. She is always there to help us after school and go the extra mile. I love that."
Another student added, "She isn't just there to help us through school. She is there for everything. She really cares about us passing and succeeding."
Gina has always wanted to be a teacher and says maybe her dad, Don Hunt, had a little something to do with that.
"I taught high school English for a few years," he told us. "So, she is following in her old dad's footsteps."
Our High 5 partners at Les Schwab gave Gina a gift basket plus $100 toward tires. If you'd like to nominate someone for a High 5, click here.
