A Journey of Growth and Gratitude
By Dennis Bisera Isomba
Science & Engineering Educator | AACPS Maryland
This month November 2025, marked a significant step in my career. Earning my tenure with my current employer marks more than three years of dedicated service three years that have shaped me in ways far deeper than any calendar could measure. It has been a season of authentic growth, discovery, and transformation, both in my profession and within myself.
Living and teaching away from home has given me the privilege of influencing lives in new and meaningful ways. Each day in the classroom has been a chance to support, mentor, and nurture students as they uncover their own potential. Beyond grades and projects, it has been about helping them see their worth, celebrate progress, and rise with resilience.
I have come to appreciate that growth often hides in the quiet moments when a student finally grasps a difficult concept, when confidence replaces self-doubt, or when perseverance turns frustration into discovery. These moments remind me of my younger self full of uncertainty yet determined to move forward. In their courage, I see reflections of my own journey.
Growth, I have learned, is not always a straight path. Some days were bright with accomplishment, others quieter but rich with lessons. Each one mattered. The victories taught me joy; the challenges taught me endurance. Together, they shaped a more patient, empathetic, and purpose-driven educator.
At the heart of my journey stands gratitude gratitude for the families and students who have trusted me, for colleagues who have collaborated with me, and most of all, for my family, whose unwavering encouragement has been my constant foundation. Their love and belief have made every mile and every moment worthwhile.
This season of growth has affirmed that teaching is more than a profession it is a calling to serve, uplift, and illuminate the path for others.
Educator • Innovator • Lifelong Learner