This year's recipient of the Willow High School Teacher of the Year award, Bolanos believes teaching is more than lecturing students about a subject. It's about hearing what they have to say and helping them reach their potential. She says she doesn't accept students setting low expectations for themselves and sees it as her job to motivate and encourage them to get involved in many different programs at school.

"I always want them to do more than they think they can do," she says.

Her students seem to appreciate the push.

"She shows you what you are capable of and how far you can go," says Dioselina Ayala, a junior at Willow Glen High School. "And, she gives advice on colleges and careers."

Jacklyn De Deus, a junior who emigrated from Brazil, says, "She makes students talk in class and give their opinions so we learn from each other. She personally cares about her students. Because this is my first year in the country, she always asks how I am getting along."

An immigrant herself, Bolanos is especially in tune with the special needs of relocated students.

"They are already intimidated, being in an unfamiliar culture, and need to be treated with extra kindness and patience," she says. "Plus, because many of their parents don't speak English, the students need extra guidance and advice on university or trade-school options."

When she was 12 years old, Bolanos and her family immigrated to Salinas from a small town in the state of Guanajuato in Mexico. After arriving in the country, she did not attend school for three years.

"My parents worked in the fields picking strawberries, raspberries and chilies, so I stayed home and babysat my brothers," she says. "At age 15 I was allowed to go to high school, and my only goal at the time was to learn English so I could get a better job."

While at Alisal High School in Salinas, Bolanos received praise and encouragement from her teachers.

"I got good grades and had a great desire to learn," she says. "My teachers believed in me and inspired me to continue to learn."

It was through the impact of the teachers in her life—specifically, Tony Saucedo and Aida Walqui Vanlier—that Bolanos decided to become a teacher. She attended San José State University and received a bachelor's degree in social sciences with an emphasis on education and a master's in education. She obtained her teaching credential and, after a year of student teaching at Independence High School, joined the staff at Willow Glen High School, where she has been for the past six years.

"She epitomizes the American dream," says Willow Glen High School Principal Elaine Farace. "She came here with limited education and no English language skills and has done nothing but excel. I really admire her."

To help her students assimilate into American culture, Bolanos participates in a unique citizenship education program, Close Up Program for New Americans. Each year she takes a group of newly immigrated students to Washington, D.C. Through this hands-on government study, students learn about the U.S. government and come to understand their roles as contributors in American democracy.

"I participated in this program when I was in high school and it was a great experience," Bolanos says.

In addition, Bolanos has taken students on trips to Europe and in July is taking a small group to Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

"It's important to take students outside the classroom," she says. "I love learning about different cultures. It has made a huge difference in my life and I want the same experiences for my students. Travel really opens one's eyes."

Bolanos says she is honored to receive the Teacher of the Year award because she was nominated by her colleagues and believes this represents their support in the way she teaches her students.

"Patricia helps her students see possibilities outside of their reality," Farace says. "She demands excellence from herself and her students. She is an example that you can have dreams, and through hard work and determination, dreams can become reality."