Magnolia De Los Santos, a computer science teacher at Theodore Potter School 74, is in her second year with Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS). She previously worked with VEX Robotics as a volunteer, assisted at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, and spent over four years at Global Preparatory Academy. De Los Santos holds a bachelor’s degree from UCAB – Universidad Católica Andrés Bello.
De Los Santos explained her motivation for becoming an educator: “I chose education as a way to serve the community. My goal is to provide students with tools and opportunities that will open doors for their future.”
She currently teaches computer science to students in kindergarten through fifth grade. “I love that they can be creative with technology and discover new ways to express themselves and innovate,” she said.
Describing her teaching approach, De Los Santos noted, “My teaching style is hands-on and creative. I connect with students through coding, design, and problem-solving projects that motivate them to use technology in innovative ways. I keep them engaged by giving them freedom to explore, collaborate, and see real results from what they create.”
She recalled a meaningful classroom moment: “One of the most meaningful moments in my classroom is when students are coding. In that process, they demonstrate creativity, critical thinking, and perseverance, and they experience the satisfaction of seeing their ideas come to life through code.”
To encourage her students’ potential, De Los Santos said: “I remind students that mistakes are part of learning and that every project reveals their talents. I also spark their curiosity for engineering and programming, careers with great future opportunities.”
For those considering teaching as a career she offered this advice: “I would say that being an educator is one of the most valuable professions because it allows you to transform lives. It is not always an easy path, but the satisfaction of seeing students grow and knowing that you contribute to their future makes it deeply meaningful.”
Currently, De Los Santos is leading a project where students use programming and robotics to address real-world issues. She stated: “Through this project, they develop creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration while discovering how technology can be a tool to improve their environment. I am also gradually incorporating artificial intelligence so students can understand its potential and learn to use it responsibly and innovatively.”
IPS serves more than 30,000 students across central Indianapolis through various schools and programs according to its official website. The district prioritizes racial equity as part of its strategic plan and emphasizes academic excellence through personalized learning. Aleesia Johnson leads IPS as superintendent according to the district.