The Pasadena Tournament of Roses and the College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation celebrated the Big Day for Teachers by recognizing Eliot teacher Richard Moya for his accomplishments. Big Day for Teachers is a part of the CPF Foundation’s Extra Yard for Teachers Week, which celebrates educators across the country. At the event, Moya was honored with a $1,000 DonorsChoose gift card to put towards educational resources.
Richard Moya has been described as a cornerstone of the Eliot Arts Magnet community. As an art teacher, Moya has been a part of the Eliot staff for over 20 years. He is known for his infectiously positive energy and ability to form strong connections with his students. And when the Eaton fire devastated the Eliot Arts Magnet campus, Moya used his strong connection with the students to keep their community together. On their new campus, Moya continues to utilize his skills to keep the spirit of art alive within the Eliot community by gathering students together to create the art they are passionate about. He showed students that, regardless of location, they still have their classmates and teachers to support them.
Moya holds a B.A. in Art from the University of New Mexico, an M.A. in TESOL from California State University, Los Angeles, and an M.F.A. in Painting from the San Francisco Art Institute. A true artist and educator, Moya brings his creativity and passion into the classroom every day. Outside of teaching, he devotes time to his own artwork and loves exploring new cultures—having traveled to nearly 40 countries and taught abroad in Mexico and Korea. In addition to being a fine artist, he is also a talented musician who has previously taught rock band courses at Eliot.
We are proud to have Richard Moya as a part of our PUSD community. We are also thankful to the Pasadena Tournament of Roses and the College Football Playoff Foundation for making this appreciation possible through their generous donation.
