Hispanic Heritage Month Teacher Profile, Griselda Diaz

griselda_diaz_pic04

Griselda Diaz

Fourth Grade Teacher in Elk Grove Village, IL

Ms. Diaz has been a District 59 teacher for 14 years and before that was a teaching assistant for 2 years. She obtained her Masters Degree in bilingual education since she knew early on that that was the field she wanted to specialize in. Ms. Diaz being Latina herself, felt the importance of providing our Hispanic students with a positive role model who can relate to them both culturally and academically. Since Day 1, she has been an advocate for her students and best teaching practices for our English Language Learners. Griselda taught 2nd grade for 5 years before pioneering the Title I program at Salt Creek. She had opportunities to work closely with the administration, staff and parents providing them with training and consultation. Ms. Diaz helped launch and taught the first years of the newly revised summer school literacy focused program “Jump Start”. The program was designed to do just that, giving students a jumpstart for the following academic school year. Ms. Diaz enjoyed her 6 years as a reading resource Title I teacher but missed the classroom atmosphere. She returned to the classroom and is currently teaching 4th grade. Griselda enjoys teaching all of the classroom subjects and incorporating literacy instruction throughout the day with her students. Her district’s mission is to prepare students for excellence and success. The teachers and administrators are creating 21st Century classrooms that promote creativity, collaboration, communication and critical thinking. This year all the students K-2 will have their own tablets as a learning resource tool. Students in grades 3-8 will be provided tablets and chrome books. Ms. Diaz has already incorporated technology throughout the day to reinforce her students’ learning and skill. The devices have also been a productive tool for communication with both the students and parents. Ms. Diaz feels that it is an exciting time in her district because she is able to teach her students that there are innovative ways to learn more about a topic and emphasize their own possibilities to become successful lifelong learners are endless.

Why do you teach? As cliche as this sounds, I teach to make a difference. I knew in high school that I wanted to make a positive impact on lives. Teachers have one of the most influential careers because they affect so many students’ lives over the years. Without teachers, we cannot have other professions such as doctors, lawyers, nurses etc. I sometimes think I need to rethink my profession because of its constant demands and hard work. Then I will have a deep or personal conversation with one of my students about problems that they are having at home or school or simply see their excitement about learning and I am reminded why I remain in this teaching profession.

What do you love about teaching? I love teaching because I see the difference I make in my students’ lives. I may not see it instantaneously or even during that school year, but I have had previous students now in High School or College coming to visit me at school and tell me how I made a difference. They may not be able to recall everything they learned that year they were with me, but they remember how I made them feel and how excited they were about learning. I have had returning students who have told me that they are going on to becoming teachers themselves because of me. It is so rewarding to know that I have inspired my students to seek out their own personal calling and to know that they still have a thirst for knowledge.

When you were a student, was there a great teacher who inspired you? Growing up, I had 2 teachers that inspired me. I could probably state one or two things I learned those years academically, but I could go on and on about the fun and exciting class projects that inspired my creativity and love for learning.