Hispanic Heritage Month traditionally honors the contributions of famous achievers of Spanish, Mexican, Caribbean, Central American and South American heritage. It’s equally important to recognize the contributions of lesser-known local achievers of Hispanic descent whose accomplishments are also noteworthy.
Many of these local achievers are working in classrooms leading change while helping students thrive academically and personally. They’ve left other professions to serve as teachers, bringing with them unique backgrounds and experiences that help them inspire their students daily.
And, at a time when districts nationwide are working to diversify their teaching staff, these educators are answering the call to provide representation and high-quality education to students of all backgrounds. Many of their lived experiences reflect the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) data indicating that Latinx students are the least likely in the United States to have a teacher who looks like them. As teachers, they are actively working to change this statistic one classroom at a time.
Rutgers Alternate Route proudly presents six teachers making a difference in school districts in our state. Learn about their journey to change lives through teaching while addressing the demand for an increasingly diverse teaching force.