Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Honored teacher relates to immigrant students
‘I love what I do,’ says Philippines native
Evangeline Aguirre has a knack for teaching immigrant kids, in part because she knows what they’re going through.
She moved from the Philippines to Palm Beach County 13 years ago to teach students in the English for Speakers of Other Languages program.
Aguirre, who teaches at Palm Beach Central High in Wellington, was recognized Tuesday as the Palm Beach County Teacher of the Year. Superintendent Robert Avossa surprised her in the school library to give her the good news.
“I was shocked. It was unexpected,” she said. “I love what I do. I’m very skilled at what I do, and I’m very passionate. I love the kids.”
Her students are mostly recent immigrants, and Aguirre said she can relate to them. Even though she’s not fluent in Spanish, the most common language spoken by her students, “we still speak the same ‘language,’ ” she said.
“We share the same same emotions and face the same challenges,” she said. “There is a so much in common between me and my students. They see themselves in me.”
She’s a role model for students such as Margie Mesa, 16, a sophomore from Honduras. Mesa said her teacher inspires her to persevere during times when school or life gets tough.
“I told her two weeks ago she’s the best teacher,” Mesa said. “She tells me to never give up and to continue my studies.”
Aguirre will now be Palm Beach County’s contender for Florida Teacher of the Year.
Aguirre was one of several dozen Filipino teachers recruited by the district in the early 2000s to help with a teacher shortage. Her plan was to stay for three years and return to the Phil-