49ers honor San Jose teacher after she transitions from tech to the classroom with a special skill
SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- If there is one word to describe first-grade teacher Tracy Nees, it's caring.
"I just care. I care for who they are and I care about them as people," explained Nees during a break in her classroom at John J. Montgomery Elementary School in San Jose.
You can see the caring as soon as kids line up to enter her classroom. She moves her arms to offer either a fist bump, a high five or a hug.
"She's caring, compassionate, kind. She makes sure that she knows each student's personality and she engages them on that level," said principal Jamie Hammond.
Nees didn't always want to be a teacher. She started her career working in the Silicon Valley technology sector but became a stay-at-home mom when her daughter was born.
As her daughter grew up, Nees began working as a teacher's aide and when her daughter went off to college she decided to go back to school herself, even though she was in her 40s.
Eventually, she earned a master's degree in education at San Jose State and then started teaching first and second grade.
"I have only one child and she went off to college- and why not have 20-24 kids every year that you can read to and teach math and teach how to read?" said Nees.
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Her thoughtfulness with students was recognized by the San Francisco 49ers as "Teacher of the Game" for the game against the Washington Commanders at Levi's Stadium.
"She really stood out to us as someone who goes above and beyond for her students, from holding a student's hand across the street to honoring a student's disposition and emotional well-being so they're ready to learn," said Sofy Navarro, director of Program, Impact and Strategy for the 49ers Foundation.
The recognition made a huge impact on Nees, who is a lifelong 49ers fan.
"When I got the email, it brought a tear to my eye because it was part of who I am, being a Niners fan," said Nees, who choked up remembering going to games at Candlestick with her father.
Nees was nominated for the honor by a former student and her family.
"She has made a huge impact on our family," said Jessica Martinez, whose daughter Aliyah Alves was in Nees' classroom two years ago.
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Even though Alves moved to higher grades, she still seeks Nees out whenever she needs support.
"Sometimes when I need help and even though I'm not in the class, if she's out in the playground, I'll usually always go to her for help. I really miss being in her class," said Alves.
Nees enjoys learning along the way from her students.
"I learn from them as much as they learn from me and as I get to know them, it's like the world just becomes smaller and bigger at the same time."
