“I am so glad I am a teacher. I see myself in them every single day.”
Daniela Romo is a fifth-grade bilingual teacher at East Terrell Hills Elementary School. She became passionate about dual language teaching when she was a student herself. She grew up in a Spanish-speaking household. So, she has been exactly where her students have been.
“Growing up as a Spanish speaker started as a struggle,” said Romo. “So, I see myself in them every single day—in their conversations—everything they tell me about their home or culture. It’s very nice to see that I can connect to them on that level.”
Romo has been connecting with bilingual students at East Terrell Hills for 10 years now. She can’t imagine doing anything else. Seeing her students make the connections and finally understanding something drives her. And now, she’s starting to see her dedication really pay off as her former students start to graduate high school.
“They come back to visit or invite me to their graduations. It’s really great to see them succeed,” said Romo. “I come every day happy to see my students; they are my motor to what I do. I love being here in the classroom. I don’t see myself anywhere else.”
