Hispanic Heritage Month Teacher Profile Hector Ibarra

hector_ibarra_pic01

Hector Ibarra

Middle School Science Teacher in West Branch, IA

Hector’s storied career in the classroom came to an end after 34 years of teaching middle school science. Even though he is no longer in the classroom, he is the Director of a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in Society science club. He mentors students in national contests.  His guiding philosophy as a teacher has been to teach “for the moments yet to come.”

When he was not in the classroom, Hector worked on many projects that earned national acclaim. His programs include work on the environment, water conservation, and energy. He has been fortunate to receive national honors including participating in the Fulbright Memorial Fund Master Teacher Program. He is most proud of the national awards his students have won in national contests that include eCybermission, Siemens, Christopher Columbus Award, Lexus, and ExploraVision. Over one hundred and fifty students have made presentations in fourteen metropolitan cities and in Tokyo and San Jose, Costa Rica. His program was also selected for four President’s Environmental Youth Awards and five SeaWorld Environmental Excellence Award. Since 1993, a team of four students have been finalists in 37 contests and selected as national winners in 21 contests. Since 1995 Ibarra has led a team of three meteorologists, who serve as mentors for teachers in an NOAA NSF long distance-learning Internet undergraduate professional development course in meteorology. In 2010 Ibarra was appointed to a 4-year term to serve on the National Assessment Governing Board. In 2011, Ibarra was appointed Ambassador of Public Health and Environmental Education for the State Hygienic Laboratory, and was hired to teach on a contractual basis at the Berlin Blank Talented and Gifted Program at the University of Iowa.

As a native Spanish speaker, Hector owes much to his fourth grade teacher, Ms. Olson, who helped him learn English during that school year. In doing so, she also sparked his efforts to excel in the classroom. Her dedication inspired him to give back to his community as well. Her influence and the influence of many other teachers led Ibarra to decide to be a teacher when he was in middle school.

Why do you teach? I teach because teachers inspired me to be a life long learner and the importance of learning.   As I have been helped by others, it is part of my responsibility to help students and colleagues succeed. Teachers represent many things. Christa McAuliffe said, “I teach, I touch the future”. I believe this saying truly communicates the importance of teachers. It is through the messages we send as teachers that students develop an excitement for on-going learning. Every student is valued and important. Every student has the right to learn, to achieve, and to succeed. These are beliefs that I represent. Preparing students to be life-long learners is fundamental to our role as teachers. Teachers have a responsibility to help all students work to their full potential at the earliest age possible. Through additional and early help, steps can be taken to aid students in the classroom as well as help them with skills which will enrich their lives and provide them with not only important classroom skills but good interpersonal skills.

What do you love about teaching? I love teaching because working with students allowed me to create opportunities that open the doors for students and teachers to grow, excel, and showcase their talents. I really enjoy interacting with students and colleagues. Everything begins in the classroom. It is here that teachers impact all students. The classroom is where students come to love to learn. Many students want to know more and investigate community issues that are researched and entered in national contests. Many of these projects are community service oriented.  Involvement creates many opportunities for students, providing new and unique learning opportunities. I have come to realize how important it is to get students involved and make a difference.

When you were a student, was there a great teacher who inspired you? I have been very fortunate because my life has been touched by so many outstanding teachers. My first outstanding teacher was my fourth grade teacher, Ms. Myrtle Olson.   Up until fourth grade I did not speak or understand the English language very well. Up until fourth grade, school wasn’t a happy place nor an enjoyable experience for me. I do not remember any good events from K-3rd grade. The summer before fourth grade my family had been in a boating accident and my sister drowned. My sister meant many things to our family for she was the only one who really understood English.   But my fourth grade year would be a wonderful learning experience and the major turning point in my life. Ms. Olson, my fourth grade teacher, was a very caring person. She was the first person, other than my mother, who believed in my abilities and helped instill in me confidence and self-esteem. My junior high and high school years were also filled with outstanding teachers who challenged me to do the best I could. By tenth grade I was positive I wanted to be a science teacher. Mr. Gilbert’s biology class was great! I really enjoyed his teaching style. I wanted to teach like he taught.  I especially liked working with children. Because I was helped by so many teachers, I learned the importance of getting involved, to instill the love of learning in one’s life, and helping to build a student’s confidence. I valued the importance of teaching as an enjoyable career in which I believed I could make a difference. Teachers can help children and see the impact of their efforts spread like ripples on a pond. There is no other profession that can impact the lives of all children like teachers can.