Daily Inspiration: Meet Monique Bell

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Monique Bell.

Monique, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I founded Just Teach in 2013, with one of my colleagues, Rebecca Peeples, and my husband, Jesse Bell. We all shared a similar passion for uplifting youth in our community. The spark came while I was working as a Title I Coordinator, at a school in South Los Angeles. My role was to design and coordinate intervention programs for our students, through that work, I witnessed both the incredible talent and the real challenges our underserved youth face every day.

When I reviewed the school’s budget, I realized there was no way to provide students with the type of programs they needed—or deserved. Speaking with parents, teachers, and community members to supplement the curriculum was challenging. That moment sparked a vision: to create spaces where our students could explore, express themselves, develop their interests, and unlock their potential through innovation and creativity.

In 2014, I became the Principal of the same South LA school where I worked as a Teacher and Coordinator, and where I had also grown up and attended as a student. It was during this time that I realized the need to support students went far beyond my own school site. This challenged me to do more. My goal became to build partnerships and secure resources that could benefit not just one campus, but the entire community. My heart and soul belong to South LA, and it became my personal mission to give back to the very place that raised me.

At Just Teach, our mission is simple but powerful: To expose and empower underserved youth through STEAM education—science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. We serve students ages 4–18, giving them hands-on opportunities to learn coding, robotics, media production, and creative expression.

Our program is built around weekly STEAM themes. Each week, students dive into a new discipline—whether it’s engineering, computer science, or digital media—and end the week with an exciting field trip, that brings their learning to life. These experiences connect classroom lessons to the real world, showing students how their new skills translate into future careers and community impact.

But we know that academic enrichment alone isn’t enough. We are intentional about incorporating Brain Fitness and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), into everything we do. Through physical activities, mindfulness, and teamwork exercises, students strengthen both body and mind—building emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and resilience.

We also support families by facilitating parent workshops, back-to-school, and holiday giveaways annually.

Together, these practices help students grow, not only as learners, but as leaders—confident, compassionate, and ready to make a difference.

Today, we continue to do this amazing work, but being a grassroots organization is exhausting. Attracting donors who see the value of our work has taken years, however we keep doing the work, and our youth and their families are thriving.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road; there have been days when I wanted to stop, not because of the youth and their families, but because it is hard to get donors to “SEE US,” to recognize the life-changing work that we do and give from their hearts. We have small donors who give graciously throughout the year, but we need sustainable financial support to reach more youth and their families.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an educator, always and forever. I taught in South LA and was an administrator for over 25 years. I currently do consulting work for schools to support administrators and teachers. I also work remotely, for a foundation that supports students with college and career planning. I am most proud of the lives I have touched through the years. My mom was also an educator, and I always marveled at how many kids would see her over the years and thank her for being that special teacher who connected with them (she’s so influential that the library at Audubon Middle School, is named after her; I guess it’s in the genes.) Now, my students find me, to acknowledge the connections that I have made with them, and it warms my heart to know that I had a small impact on their lives.

The thing that sets me apart is not only the fact that I am a product of the community I serve, I never give up, I am persistent and steadfast because I know that my work matters, and I know that it makes a difference, in the lives of our kids and their families.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory is being with my grandmother during the summer. She was a childcare provider, and all the neighborhood kids hung out in and around her home. She had a genuine love for people, no matter who they were. She fed, talked to, and listened to ALL people. Spending time at her home created a foundation for me, a place of warmth, love, and care for people.

Pricing:

• Donations for Just Teach can be sent to https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/justteach501c3
• I also have QR codes for Zelle, Venmo and Cash App

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.just-teach.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_justteach?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justteach09?mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr

Image Credits
Photo 1: Fred Kipperman, Monique Bell, Maya Bell, Vika Gray

Photo 2: Junior GEEK Quentin Evans and Just teach students

Photo 3: Monique Bell & Nikale Ashley with 2 Just Teach students