Meet Rachel Pereira: Teaching Lessons That Go Beyond the Classroom

Author: Rachel Pereira, NF Network

Published On: 7/1/26

Congratulations to Rachel Pereira, a first-grade teacher at Stanford Elementary School, who was recently recognized as her school's Teacher of the Year! Each year, one educator from every school is selected for this honor, recognizing their dedication, leadership, and impact on students. While Rachel was not ultimately selected as the district's top teacher, being chosen to represent Stanford Elementary is an incredible achievement.

Rachel is deeply involved in her school community. In addition to inspiring young learners in the classroom, she serves as co-director of her school's productions through the Disney Musicals in Schools program, helping students build confidence and creativity through the performing arts.

Rachel is also celebrating her second year of remission from breast cancer. Women with NF1 face an increased risk of developing breast cancer, with the risk being two to three times higher than that of women in the general population. Throughout a double mastectomy, reconstructive surgery, and radiation treatments, Rachel continued showing up for her students each day with remarkable strength, resilience, and dedication.

Living with visible plexiform neurofibromas, Rachel has used her own experiences to teach her students an invaluable lesson in kindness and acceptance. She encourages them to look beyond outward appearances and get to know people for who they are on the inside. Through her example, Rachel has helped her students understand the importance of empathy, respect, and seeing the character of a person rather than focusing on physical differences.

Congratulations, Rachel, on this well-deserved honor. Your resilience, compassion, and unwavering commitment to your students continue to inspire not only the students and staff at Stanford Elementary School but the entire NF community.

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