Only the teachers changed, the names stayed the same
Theresa Gonzalez, a fabulous English teacher here at Central Union High School, has taken a different path. She is still here at Central, but no longer in the classroom. She is now working in the main office as a resource teacher. She is using her skills and her classroom knowledge to find ways to offer support to all teachers and students now, she’s casting a wider net here on campus. She is very excited about getting to decorate her new office.
Because of her departure from the classroom, Central opened a position for a new English teacher. Before we left on winter break, she already knew someone would be taking her place. She but didn’t tell her students anything about replacement, they all had to wonder. Would the person be as awesome as Mrs. Gonzalez?
After winter break people were excited to see who the new teacher on campus was also Mrs. Gonzalez — Ariana Gonzales. Yes, it’s a coincidence that she and her predecessor share the same last name. The latter is a vibrant person with a friendly personality.
The successor Gonzalez was a student at San Diego State University. In her first year there she learned that there’s a partnership program with Imperial Valley College. She took a few classes there.
She comes from a family of educators: her mother is a well-known teacher at Southwest. Gonzalez enjoys people and making their lives better, this is a big part of teaching. She wants to be able to help her students see their potential and encourage them to be successful. When asked how she had felt when she was informed that she had the job, she said, “Oh my God! I could’ve jumped up and down.” She was excited she said because she had just “achieved her lifelong goal.” She informed her husband and she states that her mom informed all of her family and everyone that she had gotten the position.
She is proud to now be part of the Spartan family. Gonzalez notices a difference in this school from the one she attended (Southwest). She says we have a lot of school spirit here at Central, which is a marked difference from what she remembers at Southwest High School.
The three words she used to describe herself are “determined, trustworthy and mom.” This year her goal is to see all of her seniors graduate. She really wants to touch students’ lives and inspire them.
When asked where she sees herself in 10 years she