Meet our Teacher of the Year, Mr. Gabriel Maldonado.
Professional Biography: What factors contributed to your decision to become a teacher?
The factors that contributed to my decision to become a teacher were my parents, family, friends, and my last couple of jobs. My parents were my biggest influence. My father was my biggest critic and role model. My parents showed me the meaning of hard work and taught me many ideals and values that have gotten me through some rough times. Family and friends have also been influential. For years they kept encouraging me to become a teacher, and I never listened. Watching my brother and wife get their degrees and becoming teachers inspired me to leave those dead end jobs and do something rewarding with my life. I made it a mission to provide the messages bestowed upon me by my family and chose education as a career. Before my father passed, I made a promise to him that I would deliver his words of inspiration to the future generation. That what he and my mother taught me would not go in vain. I vowed to provide for my community, la raza, and mi gente!
Describe what you consider to be your greatest contributions to or accomplishments in education.
On a personal level, my master’s degree in technical communication has been my greatest accomplishment in education. I consider my compassion and dedication to our students to be my greatest contributions. As aforementioned, my parents were my biggest influencers. They came to this country with only the clothes on their backs, and like many of our students, I relate to their experiences. I like being able to connect with students on their level and be a role model for them. In my class they not only learn reading and writing strategies, but life lessons as well. My greatest contribution to educating students stems from motivating students and inspiring them to be better each and every day. To make their families proud. To make their friends and teachers proud. And, to make themselves proud! When I look around our campus, I see a little bit of myself in each and every student. It does not matter the race, background, or nationality. We all represent each other with a purpose for doing better each day. For being there for one another and supporting a need for academic success. Students witness hope and regain a new mindset for success in my class. What was once lost in their journey due to personal hardships are reshaped in my classroom. Each and every student that walks through my doors has been my greatest contribution to education. They have left with skills to be successful in English, and also a frame of mind that will one day make them the future leaders of our community. In my classroom, we live by the motto “Be Someone”. I let the students make that decision for themselves, but when they leave my class they know they can one day be whoever they choose to be.
School Culture: Beyond the outstanding lessons you teach in the classroom, how have you contributed to the school’s community and culture during this nomination period?
I feel like my contributions to our school’s community and culture have been integrated since I first walked through the Aldine 9 doors. I am a product of HISD, but have been bleeding Mustang blue and white since 2022. I felt so welcomed when I first stepped foot on this campus. From the moment I was hired on a zoom call I felt the love and support from what Aldine 9 stood for. I was so nervous beginning my teaching experience, but you all made it so incredibly special for me. My willingness to be a factor in shaping the school’s community and culture was the fun part. Being able to incorporate my eagerness to represent the school, our community, and way of life are what make this campus so special. I know for a fact that this school stands apart from all others because of what we have here. I love taking part in representing our campus in any way possible. I accepted the “Puro Aldine 9” message to promote our campus and add to the school’s culture. It is with pride that I carry myself in everything that I put into this school and stand firmly for Aldine 9. Orale!!
Since joining Aldine Ninth Grade School, what awards have you earned or committees have you been a part of?
Since joining Aldine 9, I have been awarded the 24-25 ESL Teacher of the Year award. I have been a part of the LPAC representation committee since being accredited as a certified ESL teacher.
