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Meet First-Year Teacher Acela González
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Looking Forward »»»
Meet Ms. González
Campus: Eckert Elementary
Title: First Grade Teacher
Acela González is a proud University of Houston-Downtown graduate with a passion for family, bilingual education, and her first-grade students. This first-year teacher hails from a small town called Arcelia in Guerrero, Mexico. Moving to the states, her freshman year of high school was not easy, but she did not let that stop her from succeeding. Her struggle to quickly master a new language would only motivate her to inspire and teach other young English learners years later. In this edition of Looking Forward, we will get to know how this novice bilingual educator is making the most of an unprecedented first year on the job.
Who are You?
How Did You Find Your Way to Aldine ISD?
I completed my student teaching experience in Aldine ISD at Bussey Elementary School. I immediately felt very comfortable with the direction the district was heading. All of the teachers, principals, and staff members I came in contact with were amazing, and that is how I knew Aldine ISD was for me!
What have you learned in your first few months of teaching?
One of the most prominent things I’ve learned is being flexible and the importance of keeping up with technology. I am currently teaching in a classroom, but I might also need to teach from home, so I have learned to do both. Teaching during the pandemic has made me realize that I can adjust and adapt better than I thought I could.
Was teaching always your dream?
Teaching was not my dream job until I got to high school. That is when my aspirations of becoming an educator began. I was fortunate to have an amazing high school algebra teacher named Ms. Walker. She was very supportive of me, taking me under her wing. I realized that I wanted to become a teacher to one day inspire and support students, as Ms. Walker did for me. It meant a lot that she took the time to help me. Teaching is my way of paying it forward.
Teaching During Covid
What is it like to be a first-year teacher during a pandemic?
It is definitely an experience I will never forget! Sometimes it is not easy because I don’t get to interact with my students the way I imagined I was going to. My students miss being able to play and interact as they did before the pandemic. Overall, I’m hopeful that this pandemic will make me a better teacher and prepare me for future crises.
During the pandemic, I have learned new ways to teach and interact with my students. Technology has been an enormous help, especially when we are apart. It has been an excellent opportunity to utilize more technology to teach or enhance learning. Although this year has been challenging at times, I appreciate of all the extra measures to keep both students and staff safe.
How have you felt supported during this time?
Unfortunately, my entire family is in Mexico. However, they always give me words of encouragement. They will always be my biggest motivation to be the best at whatever I do. Several of my family members are teachers or work in education, so they were very excited and supportive when I told them I wanted to be a teacher.
Looking Forward
What have your student’s taught you this year?
My students are amazing! They are resilient and brilliant. They have really surprised me with their knowledge of the pandemic and with what is going on in the world at the moment. They are very aware of the measures they need to take to stay safe and have been great at social distancing and wear their masks as they should.
Why should others pursue a career in education and teaching?
Kids are the future. It really does take a village to raise each one. The more teachers, parents, and community members we have involved, the better.
What is your favorite thing about being a teacher?
My favorite thing is the feeling I get when my students understand what I am teaching and their excitement from different learning activities.
What do you want people to know about bilingual education?
Being a bilingual student myself, I understand the importance of mastering your first language and then learning a second language, in this case, English. It helps students successfully master both languages. It also opens many opportunities in the future. Most importantly, it keeps the students rooted in their culture and language.
How do you get your first graders excited about learning?
At the beginning of the year, I gave my students a big incentive. I promised them that if they did well on their tests and assignments, we could have a pizza party at the end of the nine weeks. It encouraged them to work harder, complete all of their assignments, and be more present each day in class. They have done well with all of the changes this year, so I’m proud to say we will be having a Nine Week Pizza Party!
About the Author: Valonia Walker, APR
