Resident urges support for Rialto students, praises local teachers' role in success

A resident and Rialto native (public commenter) recounted growing up in Rialto and credited local teachers with helping them succeed, urging the community and officials to preserve humane, supportive practices for students.

The resident opened by saying, “I am Rialto made, born and bred,” and listed local schools they attended, including Eisenhower High School and California State University, San Bernardino. They said they briefly moved to New York for experience but returned because “I love this place.”

The commenter emphasized family roots and compassion, noting one grandmother was from Honduras and another from Mississippi and arguing that caring for people’s humanity is a legacy to maintain: “We cannot compromise our humanity because we can do and be so impactful,” they said. The resident framed that care as central to how schools and the community support students.

Highlighting a former teacher identified only as Monica, the resident said Monica taught business, connected students to resources and opportunities, and urged students to "show up for yourself": “She always taught, you know, show up for yourself because no one else will do it.” The speaker credited teachers in the San Bernardino and Rialto school districts with attending to students’ emotional needs as well as their academics, saying, “They cared when I... wasn't emotionally present.”

The commenter urged listeners to advocate for students and for one another: “Don't be afraid to speak up. Because if I don't speak up, nobody else will speak up. Speak up for me.” They closed by urging the community to retain local talent and support students locally, saying San Bernardino County and Rialto "pull you back" and offering that "there are opportunities and options here because we work together as a community to support students."

The remarks were delivered as a public comment; no formal action or vote was recorded in the transcript. The resident did not give a full name or an official affiliation beyond being a local resident.