Member Spotlight: Mitch Guerra, Midway (12) ISD

Mitch Guerra, a standout educator from Midway (12) ISD, is a true testament to resilience and determination. Despite the challenges of having a speech impediment, he has defied the odds and is now preparing for an exciting new chapter as a contestant on Survivor.

With an unwavering passion for teaching and a heart full of perseverance, Guerra has become a beacon of inspiration for those with disabilities who aspire to enter the classroom.

Currently serving as a P.E. teacher at Castleman Creek Elementary in Midway (12) ISD in Central Texas near Waco, Guerra has spent the past five years taking on various roles, each one allowing him to connect with students and colleagues in meaningful ways.

ATPE had the privilege of sitting down with Guerra to discuss his upcoming television appearance, the joy he finds in educating, and the powerful ways he motivates others to overcome their own obstacles and push beyond their perceived limitations.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your career so far?

The most rewarding aspect of my career as a teacher has been the opportunity to share my passions and experiences with my students every day. Growing up, I was always active and involved in various sports, and as I’ve gotten older, I’ve found joy in a wide range of activities. Being able to bring that enthusiasm to the classroom and inspire my students is incredibly fulfilling.

But the most special part of my journey has been the chance to encourage students who, like me, have speech impediments. Watching them grow in confidence has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. I always tell them, “If Coach G can stand in front of you and work through his own struggle with stuttering, then you can too.” It creates a unique environment where those students feel comfortable speaking up because they see how their classmates respond when I stutter. It’s a reminder that when someone is speaking, it’s important to listen actively and treat everyone with respect. Watching them embrace this mindset and flourish has been truly inspiring.

What aspect of ATPE membership have you benefited from the most?

As someone who is relatively new to the education field, I have greatly benefited from having other educators who are part of ATPE right here on our campus. It’s been incredibly helpful to have a network of ATPE members around me to turn to whenever I have questions or need advice. The support and guidance from fellow members have made a big difference for me, and I truly appreciate being able to connect with others who understand the challenges and joys of the profession.

I hear that you were recruited by Jason Forbis, our current ATPE state president. What stood out to you about his approach?

Honestly, Jason is incredible at what he does, and he’s someone I truly look up to in the education field. When he reached out to me at the beginning of the school year, I could immediately sense his genuine passion for the work and his commitment to supporting fellow educators. What stood out to me the most was how trustworthy he was—his approach felt authentic and sincere. I could tell that he genuinely cared about helping me navigate my journey as a new educator, and that trust made all the difference in my decision to join ATPE.

Everybody has their own unique obstacles that they must surmount in their life to find success and happiness. What challenges have you faced in your life or your career?

The most significant challenge I’ve faced in my life and career has been growing up with a stutter. It’s something I deal with every day, and for a long time, it held me back. I remember in 2020, when so much was happening in the world, there was a moment where I realized I wasn’t enjoying what I was doing. I knew deep down I was called to work in education, but I had a constant fear that no one would want to hire me because of my speech impediment. Just walking into an interview felt incredibly daunting, and I was hesitant to invest money into getting my alternative teacher certification because of those fears.

However, everything changed when I got hired part-time at Castleman Creek Elementary. Soon after, they offered me a full-time position, and halfway through the year, the district even offered to help me with my certification. They recognized what I was capable of and were willing to support me in pursuing my certification. I am so thankful for the administration here—they truly saw me for who I am and how I didn’t let the challenges that I face every day stop me from becoming an effective educator. They recognized the value in showing my students what it looks like to work through challenges and persevere. I’m also grateful to the other P.E. teachers in the district, who have been incredibly supportive. Their encouragement, along with the faith the district had in me, made all the difference in my journey.

You’re a cast member in the new season of Survivor. How do you think your background in teaching will help you survive the challenges of being on that show?

I think the biggest lesson I’ve learned as an educator is the importance of flexibility. In the classroom, you can have a detailed lesson plan and activities all set up, but sometimes things don’t go as expected. Being able to quickly assess what’s working and what’s not, and adjusting accordingly, is crucial. As a teacher, my main goal is to make sure my students are successful, and that sometimes means humbling myself and admitting that my current approach might not be the most effective. I believe this ability to adapt and stay flexible will be a huge asset on Survivor. You can have a strategy, but you have to be ready to pivot when things don’t go according to plan.

Additionally, growing up with a speech impediment and working in education, where I’m constantly speaking in front of my students, has taught me how to be comfortable with discomfort. On Survivor, you have to be willing to speak up, be confident, and put yourself out there, even when it’s uncomfortable. I think the skills I’ve built through teaching, such as adaptability and confidence in challenging situations, will help me navigate the tough moments on the show.

What are your long-term goals both as a teacher and someone who’s now going to be in the public eye through your appearance on the show?

Honestly, I love what I do every day as an elementary school P.E. teacher, and I truly enjoy being part of the team here at Castleman Creek. If I could do this for the rest of my life, I absolutely would. The school district has been an amazing place to grow, and I’m thankful for the opportunities I’ve had here. That being said, I do have other aspirations, like possibly coaching at the high school level in the future. One of my dreams is to help coach the high school tennis team, and I’m excited about the potential to take on new challenges within education.

As far as being in the public eye through my appearance on Survivor, I want to stay open to whatever the future holds. A big part of that for me is continuing to share my story—especially my track record of overcoming challenges. I’m a first-generation college student with a degree from Texas A&M and a master’s degree, and I’ve been able to accomplish some incredible things because others gave me hope. My long-term goal is to inspire people by showing them that just because no one in your family has ever gone to college or you’ve never seen someone who speaks like you become a P.E. teacher, it doesn’t mean it’s impossible. It just might mean you get to be the first! I’m excited about any opportunities to keep encouraging others and sharing my journey.

Is there anybody that you want to personally shout out?

When I look back on my life, the people who made the biggest impact on me were, without a doubt, educators. They loved me in ways that didn’t always make sense to me at the time, but that love gave me hope and confidence in myself and in what I was capable of becoming. I think that’s what great educators do—they not only see you for who you are, but they also see who you can become.

I have to give a huge shoutout to my current principal, Dr. Clint Glaesmann. I truly believe that if it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be in my current position. He saw me for who I am and recognized the potential I had, even when others might have hesitated. He gave me the opportunity to be a gym coach, and for that, I’m incredibly grateful. His belief in me has been a game-changer.

Best of luck to you, Mitch. We’ll be cheering you on every step of the way and can’t wait to watch you take on Survivor with the same strength and resilience you bring to the classroom!