Meet Cynthia Flores Viles

Every student has unique strengths waiting to be discovered. For Cynthia Flores Viles, helping students recognize those strengths—and believe in themselves—is at the heart of everything she does as a 3–5 Primer Leader at Primer Potranco.

After more than 14 years in education, Cynthia stepped away from the classroom to focus on raising her daughter during her earliest years. During that time, she continued growing as a mother, entrepreneur, and lifelong learner. While her path evolved, one thing never changed: her passion for helping children discover their potential.

Returning to education at Primer felt like coming home. Cynthia was drawn to Primer because of its commitment to personalized learning and its belief that every student deserves an education tailored to their strengths, interests, and goals. "As both an educator and a parent, I believe every child deserves a learning experience that nurtures their unique strengths, interests, and confidence." She values the opportunity to meet students where they are, encourage curiosity, and help them take ownership of their learning while building meaningful partnerships with families. Throughout her career, Cynthia has taught learners from fourth grade through college freshmen, giving her a unique perspective on how students grow over time.

Some of her favorite moments have nothing to do with grades. They're the moments when students find their voice, overcome self-doubt, persevere through challenges, or realize they're capable of achieving something they once thought was out of reach. No matter a student's age, Cynthia's goal remains the same: to help every learner recognize their own potential and develop the confidence to pursue it. She believes the most meaningful lessons often aren't found in textbooks—they're the lessons students learn about resilience, curiosity, confidence, and believing in themselves.

Cynthia hopes her students leave her classroom with something that can't be measured by a test score. She wants every child to know they are seen, heard, valued, and capable of overcoming challenges. When students feel safe to ask questions, make mistakes, and take risks, they discover strengths they didn't know they had. "If years from now they can't remember every lesson I taught, but they remember there was a teacher who believed in them until they learned to believe in themselves, that would mean everything to me." For Cynthia, helping students develop self-confidence is just as important as helping them master academic skills because that confidence stays with them long after they leave the classroom.

Outside of school, Cynthia brings her creativity to life as a custom hat designer. A former Spanish teacher turned entrepreneur, she creates one-of-a-kind hats inspired by people's stories, milestones, and personal journeys. Her designs have even been featured in magazines and fashion shows. She also proudly supports the military community through her family and stays busy with her four energetic huskies, who ensure life is always full of adventure. Whether she's traveling, designing, or teaching, Cynthia loves helping others discover what makes them unique and celebrating the confidence that comes from embracing it. At Primer Potranco, Cynthia is excited to create a classroom where every student feels encouraged to be curious, take on new challenges, and realize just how much they're capable of achieving.