A: I’m so incredibly honored! Being a new teacher at Pinacate and receiving this means so much to me, especially because I work with some incredible teachers in our PE department.
Q: What brought you to Pinacate?
A:I was working so far from home. My commute was so long, about 2+ hrs one way to San Diego and back. I wanted somewhere closer and was luckily picked out by our awesome Admin team at a job fair. Once I started at Pinacate, I knew I was where I was meant to be.
Q: How long have you been teaching?
A: I’ve been teaching for 10 years now.
Q: How did your teaching journey start?
A: It actually started at the age of 14 as I helped coach gymnastics to the younger kids. Then I became a camp counselor, a fitness instructor ,and dance teacher during my college years. I decided to become a dance teacher in college. I realized how much I enjoyed it and finding out I can have a career in it too was a bonus.
Q: What college did you go to?
A: I went to California State University, Fullerton. I had a lot of friends who worked at Disneyland because it was so close to us, and they would get me in for free. Best college memories!
Q: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
A: I was born in Michoacán, Mexico, and came to the US as a baby. I grew up in Los Angeles. I am the oldest of 2 and the first in my family to go to college. My sister then followed in my footsteps and is graduating this coming year. Aside from my dance/ teaching career, I also have a degree in photography. This is something I started doing at 16 years old to help with the family business. I actually have a small photography business that I still enjoy doing on the side. My partner and I met while on a salsa dance team and are now expecting a baby boy! It’s our first and we’re really excited.
Q: What's your best memory of working at Pinacate?
A: Here are my top three:
1. Hanging out with Ms. Gutierrez in our office. She actually knew I was pregnant before everyone and held on to my secret like a champ.
2. My students competing with each other for top weight training scores like longest plank held and heaviest weight on a given machine.
3. Going to watch a football game and my students recognizing me and waving from the field. They also let me know I was sitting on the wrong side.
Q: What would your students be shocked to find out about you?
A: I have been skydiving TWICE!
Q: What made you teach the subject that you currently teach?
A: It’s kind of a long story but essentially I wanted to open doors for students who otherwise didn’t have the means to experience dance.
Q: What are the hardest and easiest parts of being a teacher?
A: The hardest parts for me have always been knowing the struggles of our students. Hearing some of their stories and wishing you can do more. On the flip side, the easiest part of teaching is ensuring students have a safe place to be at when in your classroom, or at least that’s the goal. When they feel comfortable enough being in your class, sometimes that’s enough.