Growing up in Vernalis, the child of immigrant farm workers, Lupe Robles harvested fruits and vegetables every morning before school. After school, she was back in the fields.

But a dedication to education led Robles to her new role in life, now serving as principal of Evelyn Hanshaw Middle School in Modesto.

Robles attended Modesto Junior College, then transferred to California State University, Stanislaus. It was at CSU Stanislaus that Robles discovered she had a learning disability.

With just two semesters left in a bachelor in organizational communications, Robles decided to change majors with the intent of going into education. She completed four semesters of work in one year, earning a B.A. in liberal arts.

Robles than earned a teaching credential from CSU Stanislaus, and secured her first teaching position in Modesto. That position was eventually parlayed into becoming the district bilingual language development specialist, then assistant principal at Mark Twain Junior High.

Today, as principal at Hanshaw Middle School, Robles continues to work with the university, helping credential students meet student teaching requirements.