Every year, Jesuit Dallas employs new faculty from a variety of different backgrounds, experiences, and interests. During a community time prayer service on September 19, the student body was formally introduced to many new faculty members who would be teaching us, walking the same halls as us, and experiencing the Jesuit atmosphere. Recently, I had the pleasant opportunity to interview Profe Garza, an experienced new Spanish teacher. Through this interview, I learned a lot more about her family’s background, teaching experience, and her thoughts on her time at Jesuit so far.
Family Background
Could you tell me about your childhood and family?
“I was born and raised in Mexico and I attended Catholic schools. I graduated from a Jesuit High school in Mexico. I came from a small family of one brother and one sister and I had a
really nice childhood.”
Why Spanish?
What sparked your interest in teaching Spanish?
“I graduated from Marquette and I was working in a bank for a few years. However, I took a break when I was expecting my second child and when I was at home with my kids I wanted to create a better teaching environment for them. So, I started reading about education and I took a course on Montessori learning and I loved it. After this, I began to implement the methods I learned with my kids and I was later invited by a school to collaborate with a school who had Montessori learning and I was invited to be a part of the school, once I received my degree.”
Was there a specific moment that inspired you?
“When I moved to the United States, I realized education here was different so I started working as a volunteer at my kid’s school. Through this, I was able to see how education works in the United States and I realized I really wanted to teach about my language and my culture. I also had the opportunity to study a program and Sala manga Spain about how to teach Spanish.”
Teaching History
How long have you been teaching Spanish and where?
“I have thirteen years of experience teaching Spanish”
How would you describe your previous teaching experience?
“Well, I would say they were good, but different. When I just started teaching here in the US, I began with Kindergarten and then I moved to elementary and middle school and finally high school. I was trying to follow the same ages and stages that my kids had, so I wanted to be kind’ve be synchronizes with their interests and the environment they were in.”
The Jesuit Experience
What brought you or encouraged you to come to Jesuit?
“I wanted to reunite with the Jesuits and although I loved my previous experiences, reuniting with my Jesuits has been a highlight.”
“Is there anything you will change next semester?
“Yes, I am ready to make some changes in the second semester. I really want to engage my students on loving in the language. I want them to be challenged and I like the challenge in the classroom, but I want them to feel like they are learning with a purpose. This is something that is basic for me in my classes and I am ready with some changes I want to implement. Now that I know my students better and because I am more familiar with the school and everything, I am ready to make some twists.
How do you think Spanish applies to this years mantra of “Open to growth”
“I think it totally matches the area of ‘Open to Growth’. I think that the more we know the culture or something else it is easier to respect and to love something. So, part of things I really want to do in my classroom is to present to my students the other part of the world, outside of the United States and their own community. I want them to have some appreciation and curiosity about experiencing other languages, other places, other cities, and other communities.
Thank you so much Profe Garza, make sure to continue to welcome her into the Jesuit community as we go into Christmas break!
