Mother of the Year
While every mother is special, some are just extraordinary. With that said, it is our honor to recognize Ms.
Tonita Fernandez as the 2017 Mother of the Year!
Ms. Fernandez was born and raised in Pasadena, California and is the 5th of 7 children. Her mother and
father provided the strong foundaHon of family that she would later foster to her children, as well as many
others who have been fortunate enough to cross her path. Ms. Fernandez a?ended schools in the
Pasadena Unified School District, eventually graduaHng from Pasadena High School. She went on to a?end
Laverne College and Pacific Oaks College where she received her MA Degree in EducaHon/Human
Development.
Ms. Fernandez is the proud mother of 6 children – one girl and five boys, as well as 22 Godchildren. She
has truly opened up her heart and her home as she has adopted three of her children and is going through
Foster Care with two of her children as she completes the adopHon process. Ms. Fernandez’s children
range in age from college to pre-school and she feels blessed to be able to make a difference in their lives
and spends a great deal of Hme and dedicaHon encouraging and direcHng their path.
Ms. Fernandez’s dedicaHon to children extends far beyond her own family. Her teaching career began in
1978 at Upland High School and she is currently a First Grade Teacher and the Diversity Coordinator at
Chandler School, a K-8 private school in Pasadena. She is one of the only African American teachers to lead
a core subject at Chandler. Among students and parents, Ms. Fernandez has a reputaHon for sevng high
expectaHons, insHlling the passion to learn, being warm, nurturing, enthusiasHc and caring.
In addiHon to being a full-Hme teacher, Ms. Fernandez owns and operates a private tutoring and
enrichment center called Superstar EducaHon and Enrichment for Kids that is more commonly known as
“the co?age”. Her primary goal with this facility is to provide services to children from all environments
with a special focus on foster children where she helps them move forward socially and academically. She
has worked with low-income, under-served and neglected youth her enHre career in the hopes of leveling
the playing field.
Ms. Fernandez is a pioneer in the Pasadena community and has volunteered in several capaciHes including
Campfire Boys and Girls, Group Homes, Sycamores and the NaHonal Foster Care OrganizaHon. While giving
to others, she receives joy through the smiles and excitement of children and adults where she has helped
them learn their lessons, achieve their goals, win their first job and more.
With such a busy life, Ms. Fernandez does take Hme for herself by finding Hme to craq, hike, coach sports,
travel and more. She enjoys gospel music and her favorite songs are, “If I Could Help Somebody” and “I
Won’t Complain”. Her life philosophy that is truly exemplified by all that she does for others is, “In life, it is
not about what you can get but what you can give.”
Proverbs 31:29 reads, “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Ms. Fernandez’s story is
proof that those who give their life to the Lord and who take care of others will reap rewards beyond
measure.
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