A proud alumna of Lehigh Elementary School, Moreno Elementary School, and Serrano Middle School. Diana has lived and attended schools in the OMSD area for over 30 years and returned to OMSD as an Instructional Aide, teacher and currently as the Elementary Administrator at Del Norte Elementary School. During her elementary years, Diana’s family moved 13 times. This experience has given her a heart for our OMSD families and she is inspired by humble, hardworking people like her mother, Jaime Escalante, Cesar E. Chavez and by ordinary people who do extraordinary things, especially when they are driven by a peaceful passion. Diana encourages parents to utilize the resources the District provides for them, especially the workshops and seminars provided by the Parent Educational Center. One of her favorite quotes is by Ralph Waldo Emerson who stated, “To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because of how you have lived; that is to have succeeded.” Diana lives this quote by volunteering with her church and organizing events that promote healthy families. Diana also encourages her peers to be present for their students, to listen to them and to act on their behalf, because these children will grow up and do the same. As for the students, Diana encourages them to focus on the future, not the past; to move forward, to never stop learning, and to set daily goals that will result in them excelling. Diana sees parents as a gift to our community, their children, and our schools. No matter what their background or what language they speak, the encouragement they give to their child will spill over into our schools, community and world. To Diana, excellence is going above what is expected, taking the extra step to serve others, and extending a hand to others, especially when they least expect it. For these reasons, the Ontario-Montclair School District recognizes and celebrates Mrs. Diana Rubio Lopez as a 2015-2016 Model of Excellence. Her commitment to excellence is certain to motivate and inspire current and future generations of OMSD students, educators, parents, and community members.