Teaching Through the Beauty of Colors: Interviewing Professor Juan Arevalo (my 6th & 7th grade science teacher)
Susan Guerrero interviews her 6th and 7th grade science teacher about their student-teacher relationship and the connection they have developed that helped her flourish.
Columbia University Teachers College, 29 years old, "love has no color; beauty is in us all," 2012. Image@Guerrero. Illustartion © Hilado.
“The heart sees-through colors, so why do we choose to separate? The heart sees through colors, comes together, and celebrates. Love isn’t a color, so why do we separate.”
MY STORY
In my grandmother's house. © Guerrero Family Photo.
Being raised in the Bronx all my life, attending schools in the Bronx exposed me to different environmental experiences. My mother was introduced to Christianity when she first came to New York and started living in the Bronx in the early 90s. Most of my childhood was spent nearly five days a week in church. Growing up on 183rd Street and Jerome in the Bronx, the church we went to was right across the street from where we lived. Early Sunday morning services started with Sunday school, then the midday service, a mini-break to eat a meal, and then the evening service until late at night. Church was enjoyable as a child. As I got older, I wanted to find my sense of belonging, trying to find a new identity. As a person who grew up in church, they taught me many things about sin and what is right from wrong. Unknowingly, years later, I would have a professor who is part of the LGBTQI+ community and would become my mentor and a father figure in my life.INTRODUCTION TO MR.AREVALO
Mr.Arevalo at 4 years old. © Arevalo Family Photo.
Mr.Arevalo was born and raised in Colombia and attended Fordham University in New York. Obtaining his degree in teaching and working with the Department of Education, Professor Juan Arvelo was my 6th & 7th-grade science teacher. He had already taught for years before I attended Accion Academy junior high school. I was a quiet student then, and he helped me build character. He always made the class interesting and entertaining while being able to maintain my interest in learning. My father passed away in 2013, and Professor Arvelo became a massive support system and a father figure as well. We lost contact after I left the school and completed my 8th-grade year somewhere else.
MY DAD
My father, Murray Woods. © Guerrero Family Photo.
Murray Woods Nixon was born in Roatan Bay Island in 1969; he was my father. My grandmother had 12 children who she did not raise. My father was a product of his environment, and his lifestyle consisted of being a dangerous business. When I was about 12 years old, I received the news that he was killed in his native country in the fall of 2012/2013 during my 7th grade school year. It was a different range of emotions when I received the news because I was supposed to travel to see him that same year when he passed away. I received the news of his passing at the time from my mother telling me. The next day, I went to school and eventually broke down in mid-class crying. Mr. Arevalo, my science teacher then, was made aware of the situation and became a massive support system. I became very distant, and he was the only one who made me feel comfortable to share my pain. He became a father figure for me instead of being my professor, and our minds became much more vital. I started taking outside therapy around that time, and Mr. Arevelo was very supportive at that time and helped me deal with my emotions.
LIFE TAKES ITS COURSE
High school graduation picture, "the thought of knowing my dad was gone, it had me distracted in class," I never imagined I would bump into Mr. Arevalo again! © Guerrero Family Photo. Illustration @ Hilado.
Mr.Arevelo became my 6th and 7th grades from 2012 to 2013. During my 7th grade year, I had a considerable loss, and my father passed away. Mr. Arevalo became a mentor before my father’s passing and a mentor in life. He allowed me to open emotionally at the time of my father's passing, something that was mentally impacting my well-being. My 7th grade year was the last time Mr. Arevalo and I stayed in contact until we reunited almost seven years later at the exact job location.
Mr. Arevalo. © Arevalo Family Photo.
CONSENT TO BE INTERVIEWED AND DOCUMENTED
Dear Mr. Arevalo,
I want to include you in my Multigenerational Engaged Storytelling. My focus is to enlighten you about your professional experience teaching, being a father figure in my life, and the challenges you face while teaching. Being my 6th-7th grade professor taught me much, especially when facing the most challenging situations; I came to school looking forward to being in your classroom. Having you as a mentor has been an enormous blessing, and I would like your consent to write my project on you and your experience. I want to be able to interview and document you with your consent.
Dated: May 16th,2024
BEAUTY IN WORDS
As I conversed with my professor, I didn’t know what to expect, but it was pleasant.
WORDS OF ACKNOWLEDGE
My conversations with Professor Arevalo took place over the phone. Due to his job schedule and availability, we agreed to speak at a specific time. The setting was very peaceful and just relaxing. It brought much mindfulness into our conversation. Professor Arevalo has known me since I was 12, and I’m now 28 years old, so speaking to someone I am familiar with made things feel more comfortable. This interaction with my previous professor was mean; due to the time frame of us knowing each other and growing in separate ways, it was like two new people getting to know each other all over again. I could tap into Professor Arevalo's feelings and thoughts in a way that helped me connect to mine. The conversation was much needed to recap certain things that have happened throughout the years and how we both have revolutionized so much. I'm proud, but I couldn’t have asked to have this conversation with anyone other than Professor Arevalo.
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
What was your first inspiration for becoming a professor & who was your mentor?
“My first inspiration for becoming a teacher was when I was a tutor at the Salvation Army during high school. The coordinator used to give me the most challenging students, and I always found a way to teach them. I knew I could do something special, but it was quite a road to becoming a teacher."
Growing up, what professor inspired you the most?
“The teacher who inspired me the most was Mr. Santos, my Spanish teacher, because he genuinely cared and wanted me to succeed. He always played Salsa and other Latinx music, but he was tough. When I was failing quizzes in junior year, he called me out and said I needed to study more, and he said he could not believe he had to tell me that. He was the one who opened the doors for me to dream of becoming a teacher. “
What was your most memorable moment as a professor teaching in the Bronx?
“My most memorable moment in the Bronx was teaching my 6th-grade self-contained class. I did a unit on Puerto Rican history, and I had parents calling me to say how proud they were that some of their students knew their heritage. On a personal note, I had my students walk me down to the subway station on Halloween to ensure nothing happened to me.”
What challenges did you face throughout your teaching journey?
“My challenges in my teaching journey include disagreeing with the administration and the system on how to teach my students. I also left the teaching field for a while. I sometimes have no support, but I am still plugging through.”
What have you learned from students throughout your teaching career?
“My students have given me back so much throughout the years, and they are my heroes because I treat my students like adults, and it is a two-way street. When they give me feedback, I listen and see what they say. Once they know I respect what they say, they are more willing to share what is on their minds. I have seen my students graduate from higher learning in the past few years, which makes me happy.”
What are some things you would’ve done differently at the beginning of your career?
“I knew I did not have adequate training, and I wished I had done more side training and stayed away from veteran teachers who constantly complained. When I return to the classroom, I avoid the lunchroom and ask for the necessary training. “
Why is education important to you?
“Education is essential because it is a tangible tool for improving people's lives and progress. Education has gotten me places I never knew I could be. One of them is Google. “
As a Colombian in America, what do you think the educational system can do better?
“As a Colombian American, I wish teachers were more respected, and there was a culture of partnering better with families to be there for the child's best interest. “
How was your educational experience as a child growing up?
“My educational experience was challenging and rigid, with high expectations. Learning in Catholic school was no joke but prepared me well for the real world. “
As part of the LGBTQ+ community, what progress or setbacks have been made over the years?
“I love seeing more rights for the trans community, and we are seeing more visibility for other marginalized groups under the umbrella. However, we are still not equal and get scapegoated for things that go wrong in this country.”
QUESTIONS ABOUT ME:
You’ve known me all my life and impacted me significantly. I would love to hear your thoughts on my evolution as a student and person.
“You have finally learned to love yourself and not let any man, family member, or events that have happened to you deter you from achieving your dreams. You now know you need yourself to make it in life. Setbacks earlier taught you that you must keep your eye on the prize and stay on the path to success no matter what.”
Why did you choose to stay in contact with me all these years and become a gay father figure?
“Because I want to see you succeed, and you are receptive to feedback. We need more Afro-Latinas to be more visible in this society. You are a shining example of how you have overcome obstacles and you are still thriving. Your past does not define your future. Instead, it teaches you about your potential. “
Was I part of your growth throughout your career or inspiration?
“You are part of my career growth and an inspiration. That’s why I am returning to become a teacher. I realize this is my destiny. You have an unbreakable will when you want to achieve something; I am inspired to return as a teacher and inspire a new generation.”
"Speaking with Mr. Arevalo helped me reflect a lot. Especially how, throughout these years, I've been able to deal with my emotions from my father passing away. I've never done something like this, but I wanted to record myself sending a message to my dad as if he were still alive to thank him for leaving me a replacement dad like Mr. Arevalo."
To new beginnings
As for Mr. Arevalo, he got a new job offer as a professor starting soon. I wish him nothing but blessings and hope that he reaches all his goals in life. Love doesn’t always necessarily come from those close to you, but it can be not blood-related to you that shows you the most love. Putting God first, hard work, patience, and dedication do pay off in the end.
GIVING THANKS
Becoming one of the chosen ones for this project was a blessing from God. It allowed me to tap into parts of my life I hadn’t touched base within a long time. I'm grateful to have been able to converse with someone I genuinely care about. I greatly appreciate my peers’ feedback, which helped me develop this project. I pray for more opportunities like this down the road. I hope my project inspires others.
I want to give credit to Lee, who helped with the beautiful drawing of me and Mr. Arevalo, in a classroom setting. To Mr. Arevalo, thank you for allowing me to interview for this project, to Professor Tram for allowing me to be part of this project, which helped me grow character and build relationships with my peers and mentors. as well as Tanjane, who helped me with organizing my project correctly. I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
MORE ABOUT SUSAN GUERRERO
My name is Susan Guerrero, and I was born in the Bronx, NY. I am currently a student at Hostos Community College, majoring in liberal arts with a concentration in social work. My passion for social work was sparked by growing up in the Bronx and seeing the resources my family needed to survive. What better way to make a change than by being the change? I will graduate from Hostos Community College in the fall of 2024 and continue my education at a four-year college.