By Kenneth Miller | Publisher
The Chargers football team endured another defeat on the football field Sunday in Buffalo to fall to 0-3 on the season, but upon touching down the Bolts secured victories where they matter the most, IN THE COMMUNITY!
SOUTH BAY FINEST--Chargers line backer Tuli Tuipulotu and Da Vinci School special education teacher Sarah Taylor stand together after Taylor was presented with a $10,000 check on Sept. 30. (KENNETH MILLER/Photo)
So, on Monday Sept. 29 the Chargers continued the good will, in association with Mazda and as part of Mazda’s Community Legends program to honor teachers who exemplify the value of mentorship, two teachers were surprised with gifts for the students and $10,000 checks for each teacher at Da Vinci Schools in El Segundo.
The second special teacher selected was South Bay native and special education teacher for 11th and 12 grade at Da Vinci Schools Sarah Taylor who grinned from ear to ear when she saw Chargers linebacker and fellow South Bay standout from nearby Lawndale High School Tuli Tuipulotu standing in front of a new white Mazda SUV with the tail door open.
Asked what’s the most rewarding part about her job and she explained to South Bay Black Journal; “Seeing them when they learn something new, especially our kids learn with learning challenges, so it takes them a long time to learn a new skill. But when they finally hit that success point, and you see the light bulbs go off, and it’s super rewarding, yeah, especially a lot of our kids that think that they can’t do certain things, right? And you see him do it, and it’s like, Oh, my God. So that’s super rewarding for me, seeing them learn new things and growing and being successful,”Taylor said.
Taylor admitted she was totally surprised by the morning events that brought her from her comfort of joy in the classroom.
“I think I really want to get a smart board. I don’t know how much they cost, but I do want to get a smartboard for the kids. I don’t know if you’re familiar with those, they can go up [in price], and they can draw, and they’re very interactive when I’m teaching. And so, yeah, I’m gonna look into those. It’s for my class. Aw, that’s wonderful. Well, thank you so much for doing all the good work that you do. Yeah. Appreciate you taking your time out. I love my kids. Thank you. Everybody.”
Tuipulotu enjoys the gift of giving back and was excited to be representing the Chargers in the partnership with Mazda and says he looks forward to giving back.
“I’ve been wanting to and meaning to do a lot of community stuff for a while,” the starting linebacker and former USC star told SBBJ.
He says the spirit of giving hails from his family
“My parents always give, so that’s what I gotta do as well,” Tuipulotu concluded.
Taylor was joined by her students and colleagues who are also treated to decorated donuts that made for a sweet morning for all.
