Biographical Information:

I am first generation Mexican American and the first person in my family to go to college. Growing up in an Eastern NC farming town, I witnessed the difficulties that people around me experienced as they struggled to navigate the world without being proficient in English. That is what inspired me to become a Teacher of English to Speakers of other Languages (TESOL). Through teaching the English language to adults and school age children, I found power in my own life story and at the same time used my formal training, life experience, and passion for the immigrant journey to advocate for those around me.

After teaching English in the same community for 11 years, I wanted a new opportunity to grow professionally. Therefore, I changed school districts and began teaching reading. I spent several years as a middle school reading teacher and a reading specialist before I began my school leadership journey. Thanks to the North Carolina Principal Fellows award, I was able to turn my dream into reality. I have 24 years of public school experience, 9 of them in school leadership, and I proudly conduct myself with 3 distinct core values: Service before self, Ethical decision making, and Standard of excellence.

I am honored to be serving and leading in the Greensboro Newcomers Community. I have the benefit of being bicultural and bilingual, which connects me to our students acquiring language. I am the daughter of immigrants, which provides me with the firsthand knowledge of the immigrant experience. And I personally know how valuable representation is to students. It is my pledge to our students and families that I will offer my time, talent, and treasures to ensure that all students are seen, valued, and uplifted.

Dear Doris Henderson Newcomers School Community,

I am both honored and humbled to be working at the Doris Henderson Newcomers School. I look forward to getting to know each one of the students and their families and building strong relationships with the entire school community. I’ve been given the opportunity of working with some of the most resilient students in our district and with the adults who have dedicated their lives to helping transform life outcomes. For this I am grateful.  I remember my first day in kindergarten sitting at my desk not knowing anyone when the teacher began to take attendance. She would say a name and you would raise your hand. This process went quickly until she got to my name. She stopped, a look of confusion came over her face as she attempted incorrectly to pronounce my name 3 times, giving an opportunity for every student in the class to turn and stare at me. At that moment, I instantly became the “other” in the class. I was the other whose name could not be pronounced correctly, who could not understand the language, and who didn’t have friends because I was different. I share this very personal moment with you because I know what many of the students here go through because I have experienced the same things as a member of an immigrant family.

I wanted to share a little information about myself. I began my career in education 24 years ago.  I graduated from the University of South Florida with an undergraduate degree in Social Science Education. I later went on to receive a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Oregon’s College of Education. I have had the privilege of working as a middle school social studies teacher, an assistant principal, a principal, a Director of Education for the Boys & Girls Club of Corvallis, a multi-cultural affairs administrator at Oregon State University, a Director for the School of Education at Hawaii Pacific University, and finally as an assistant principal at Swann Middle School, Rankin Elementary, and now at the Doris Henderson Newcomers School.

I am collaborative in nature; I appreciate multiple perspectives and I am an active listener.  I always try to bring the best version of myself to work and I live my “why” with purposeful intention. I like to laugh at work, I ask a lot of questions, and I appreciate and value the diversity within each one of us.

I am originally from Miami, Florida but have lived in Oregon and in Hawaii.  Prior to working in education, I worked as a restaurant chef for approximately five years.  I will have been with my spouse for over 27 years this month and have been blessed with two sons that I adopted 16 years ago who are now making their own mark on the world. I also have a new granddaughter who was born this year. I have lived in Greensboro for the last seven years and I look forward to many more years in this wonderful community.

I am looking forward to this next school year and to the experiences this new school year will bring as we navigate the successes and challenges that will come before us. I believe in having an open-door policy so that anyone who needs to can access me. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions or concerns that you might have. I look forward to building relationships with the staff, the students, and the families that make this school such a special place. Until then have a wonderful summer and enjoy your family and friends.