Local teacher receives surprise from San Diego Padres officials

The swinging friar and members of the Padres media team surprised a local die-hard Padres fan and teacher.

Suzie Sanchez is a teacher at Imperial Valley Home School Academy.

Sanchez said it all began when she tweeted a picture of herself in a Padres apron and goggles teaching a science lesson.

” I know on twitter the Padres had seen that I was using that. They said, ‘We’ll see if we can find some for you.’. That’s the last I heard. And I hadn’t heard anything else. And then you guys came walking through my door with aprons and the friar. And I was shocked. ”

The Padres gifted Sanchez and her students with aprons for their science lessons. Student Madeline Benavidez said things can get pretty messy.

” We’d always get stuff on our clothes and they’d stain the clothes. And she’d be worried that like out parents would get mad, ” said Benavidez .

Principal Murrie Plourd tells us she’s always loved Sanchez’s passion.

Plourd says, ” She is very, very innovative when it comes to science. All of our workshops here they’re pretty much student-driven. Where student’s are doing the exploration. And she kind of has that classroom that embodies kind of a student-driven classroom. ”

For Sanchez and her class, it’s a day they’ll always remember.

The teacher adds, ” Especially as far as away as we are. Come in through our door and celebrate science with us. That means a lot to them. To see that they’re that important. ”

September is traditionally the month the Padres organization rewards its loyal fans.