I am committed to continuing to listen to and motivate the youth of the Rio Grande Valley, to inspire them to approach each day with enthusiasm and a love for learning.
Felix Jimenez is a 2021 Rio Grande Valley Teach For America corps member and a 7th grade social studies teacher at Vanguard Rembrandt Secondary in Pharr.
What motivated you to apply to join Teach For America and choose to teach in the Rio Grande Valley?
I applied to join Teach For America and chose to teach in the Rio Grande Valley because of my deep-rooted connection to the community and my passion for education. Growing up in Weslaco, I was fortunate to have a family that emphasized the value of hard work and education. My parents, aunts, and uncles were all hardworking, blue-collar individuals who instilled in me the importance of working toward my goals.
In particular, my mother’s dedication to raising three children while working multiple jobs to provide us with opportunities she never had has been a motivating factor and role model throughout my life. From a young age, I understood the importance of education and the role of educators in bettering the lives of young people.
My passion for learning continued to grow throughout my academic career, particularly in history, which became my favorite subject. As I entered adulthood, I became a father to a 3-year-old son who has motivated me to continue learning and instill the value of lifelong learning in him and myself. I believe that this value is crucial to success for anyone, and I am committed to passing it on to the youth of Rio Grande Valley.
I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to my beautiful, culturally rich, and diverse community by serving as a teacher. As a Teach For America corps member, it’s exciting to serve as a positive role model for underprivileged students who may lack access to positive role models and resources. My aim is to continue to teach and mentor my students while sharing my experiences and perspectives. I hope to help them see beyond their current circumstances and understand the possibilities and opportunities that exist for them. By inspiring them to pursue their goals and dreams, I hope to contribute to a thriving and successful community in the Rio Grande Valley.
What has been one of the most surprising things you’ve come to learn about education during your time as a classroom leader?
The importance of getting to know my students on a personal level. With the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as student apathy and emotional struggles, it became clear that understanding my students’ feelings and perspectives was key to helping them learn. By letting them have a say in how they learn and involving them in the learning process, I’ve made my classroom more authentic and engaging for them.
Adapting to the post-pandemic digital age has also been crucial in keeping my students motivated and interested in learning. Incorporating technology and relevant daily activities has made learning fun and exciting for them. Understanding that they are not just students, but children who love to laugh and have fun has helped me create intentional moments they will remember.
Overall, I’ve realized that education is not just about sharing knowledge but also about connecting with my students and inspiring them to learn. I will continue to do my best to adapt and provide them with the best possible learning experience.
If you could change one thing for your students, what would it be?
The pressure they feel to conform to certain expectations or peer norms. Middle school students are often still discovering their identities and can be heavily influenced by social pressures. I want my students to feel comfortable being themselves and not feel the need to hide their true selves for fear of judgment or rejection.
As an educator, I strongly value authenticity and believe it is important for students to be themselves in order to learn effectively. I constantly emphasize this in my classroom and encourage students to express themselves freely. This helps them with their self-confidence and sense of identity and contributes to a more engaging and collaborative learning environment.
I am always thrilled when my students bring their diverse perspectives and experiences to the table, and I believe that when students feel free to be themselves, everyone benefits by learning from each other.
What lessons are you learning now that will help you continue to work toward educational equity in the future?
I have learned that educational equity begins with acknowledging and addressing the unique needs of each student. As a teacher, I am responsible for ensuring that all of my students have access to the resources and support they need to excel, regardless of their background or circumstances. However, I am also aware that systemic inequities exist within our education system across the United States, including here in the Rio Grande Valley, where resources are often distributed unevenly.
Despite these challenges, I am optimistic about the potential of technology to advance education systems. While traditional resources such as textbooks and reading materials can be costly, technology has opened up access to free websites and programs with vast resources available to all students, regardless of their economic situation or location. To enhance student engagement and provide a modernized education, I have been integrating technology into my classroom, using tools like Google Classroom, Pear Deck, and Nearpod, available on students’ Chromebooks. I have observed positive results from using these tools, and I continue to learn and adapt to find new ways to support my students.
I am committed to staying in the Rio Grande Valley and working towards closing the education gaps in this region. It is crucial to me to make a significant impact on my students’ lives and provide them with the education they deserve. While there is still much work to be done to achieve true educational equity, I am hopeful that by prioritizing individual student needs and adapting to new teaching methods, I can create a more equitable education system here in my community.
Can you share an anecdote or personal experience from your classroom or school?
I strive to instill in my students that learning is valuable and that they should approach every day with enthusiasm, Monday through Friday. In my classroom, I begin each week focusing on gratitude, motivation, goal-setting, and reflection, empowering my students to start the week with purpose. Recently, I asked my students to reflect on what motivates them in life and share their answers with each other. One student’s response deeply touched me when they wrote, “Mr. Jimenez is my motivation.” Moments like these remind me of my impact as a teacher and make the journey so rewarding.
My teaching experience has been filled with both successes and challenges. Nonetheless, I am grateful for the unwavering support of my colleagues at Vanguard Rembrandt Secondary, including Mrs. Cordova, Mr. Guzman, and Mrs. Garcia, who have been invaluable. My entire family has also been a constant source of encouragement, and Teach For America, particularly Melanie Morales, has played a pivotal role in my growth as a classroom leader. I also appreciate the Rio Grande Valley for shaping me into the educator I am today.
I am committed to continuing to listen to and motivate the youth of the Rio Grande Valley, to inspire them to approach each day with enthusiasm and a love for learning. I hope to help them realize the value of education and positively impact their lives, making Mondays just as exciting as Fridays!
