Daniela Calderon is living her American dream. After growing up in Mexico, she now works as a Dual Language Special Education teacher at East Terrell Hills Elementary School.
“Since I was little, I wanted to be a teacher. So, this is my dream to work with these kids. I had experience in Mexico and wanted to bring that here.”
Calderon was born in Mexico City, Mexico. She was teaching and living in Monterrey when she got the call from East Terrell Hills Principal Ross McGlothlin asking her to bring her talents to San Antonio. Calderon is one of dozens of teachers North East ISD hired from the International Teachers Program to help bolster NEISD dual language programs.
Calderon’s experiences in Mexico create opportunities in her classroom. She’s able to share her culture with her students—a culture many of them share.
“Part of who we are is our culture and where we came from. I am from Mexico. I am really proud to be Hispanic. I embrace it. For my students to see me and be proud of where I came from and who I am. All of these kids might not be from Mexico, but their parents were, or their grandparents were. So, for them to see me as a connection to their culture is very important. I want them to be proud, too. When they are proud, they will be more motivated and confident, and they will learn more.”
Calderon says those lessons don’t just connect her with her students. They also help her connect with their parents. A recent class on a posada, a traditional Mexican celebration, reminded some of her students’ parents about the posadas they would have when they were younger. This offered her students a chance to talk to their parents about what they learned. It also gave their parents an opportunity to teach them how they did posadas at their home, giving the students a chance to teach their teacher.
“I am connecting with them and their families. And they are connecting with their culture. I couldn’t ask for more.”
Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 to October 15, but for many of our students, those lessons are experienced all school year.
