This California Teacher of the Year embraces her dwarfism as a strength

January 15, 2026

Heather Povinelli, a second grade teacher in Monrovia Unified, was named one of five California Teachers of the Year for 2026. But in college, she almost gave up on her dream of becoming a teacher because she worried that her dwarfism would stop her.

We visited Heather in her Monrovia classroom, where we spoke about how she got back into teaching, how she creates an inclusive classroom, and what she learned conducting research about other teachers with dwarfism.

Guest:

• Heather Povinelli, teacher, Bradoaks Elementary Science Academy in Monrovia

Read more from EdSource:

• Her dwarfism once scared her away from teaching — now it’s her strength

Education Beat is a weekly podcast. This week’s episode was hosted by EdSource’s Emma Gallegos and produced by Coby McDonald.

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