How long have you worked in TUSD? 24 years. The first 20 were at Wakefield as a second grade teacher.
What is your job title? District Itinerant ELD Teacher
Where did you work prior to TUSD? The first three years of my teaching career were spent as a teacher for severely emotionally disturbed children at Sierra Vista Children’s Center. It was a challenging job but it laid the foundation for all of the work I have done since with regard to positive behavioral interventions and supports. I am so thankful to have had that start.
Any info you would like to share about your job? I LOVE my job teaching Newcomer students English. As a newcomer teacher we work with students who have been in the country 3 years or less. Last year, with the help of my teaching partner, Erica Maldonado-Higle, we serviced 71 students at 8 elementary sites. Our students represented 11 countries and 10 languages. I learn so much from my students on a daily basis.
Things you are most proud of? I am proud of the work I have done on the many teams I have been a part of in TUSD: PLC’s, textbook adoption committees, leadership, etc. The one that really stands out though is the district Equity Team. I am glad that TUSD is focusing on equitable practices with regard to staff and students. I am especially proud of the Equity Book Project that we launched a few years ago.
Challenges? My biggest challenge as a teacher is shutting down my work brain when I leave campus.
Favorite memory/story? Many years ago I got a new student from Mexico a week before Valentine’s Day. She didn’t speak English or know what the holiday was about. I told her what it was about and told her that she didn’t need to send out Valentine’s to her classmates as she was new to the country and could just experience it for the first year. On Valentine’s Day, she arrived with handmade cards for each student. She wrote the most beautiful sentiments, in Spanish, on each card personalized to each student. It was one of the sweetest moments I have experienced as a teacher.
What are you reading? Just finished Stacey Abrams’ book When Justice Sleeps and starting The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
Any favorite shows you’re watching on TV? I just finished Lupin on Netflix. I watched it in French and am happy to say that the 4 years of high school French stayed with me! I am now cycling through the old Columbo series.
Fave movies? I have a lot of favorites but The Joy Luck Club and The Color Purple are at the very top.
Anything surprising we may not know about you? I attended International Schools in Argentina and Chile while my dad was based there for work. At one time I wanted to teach in an International School as I really enjoyed the experiences.
Anything about your personal life you'd like to share? My daughter, boyfriend, and I were blessed to be able to be with each other during the pandemic shut down. During this time we had a pool built in our backyard and have been making the most of it. My daughter just recently moved back to Los Angeles to continue grad school at USC so I foresee many trips south in our future.
I was recently elected to the NEA, National Education Association’s, Board of Directors. As a board member I will be attending quarterly board meetings to help shape NEA policy, direction, and capacity. As an added perk, I will have the honor of lobbying for our profession and our students both at a State level and in Washington D.C. I am excited to advocate for and share all of the great things that we are doing in the Central Valley, especially in TUSD.
