Honoring Veronica Perez

VeronicaPerez_LatinosTeach

Veronica Perez

Elementary Arts Teacher

Arlington, VA

Veronica Perez is a Prek-5 grade art teacher at Arlington Traditional School. She holds a Bachelor of Secondary Art Education from the Inter American University of Puerto Rico as well as a Master of Arts in Multicultural/Bilingual Education from George Mason University. She also has a Master’s Degree Equivalent in Studio Art from VCU.

During the 2011-2012 she worked in a photography project called “This is My City/ This is My Community,” where children in rural Uganda learned how to use cameras to share their life stories and culture with the community of Arlington. Their artwork was on display at the Arlington Arts Center. This project had a huge impact globally and within Arlington school communities.

Veronica is an Arlington County Public schools facilitator for Courageous Conversations on Racial Equity. The initiative aims at increasing students’ achievements by eliminating race and the acquisition of English as a predictor of success in Arlington Public Schools.

Veronica has the respect and admiration of students, parents, and colleagues. She contributes to the field of education by conducting seminars and workshops and being involved in training and assisting fellow teachers in their professional development. She is a school leader and is very involved with the larger community. She is the Humanities Project Representative for her school. She has used this leadership position to bring diversity to her students by selecting performances to share at school-wide assemblies.

Veronica is also a practicing artist, active in leadership positions in numerous community artists groups including: Del Ray Artisans, The Arlington Artist Alliance, Art Latin American Collective Project (ALACP), and the Latino Art League (TLAL).

In 2015 she was recognized as the Victoria D. de Sanchez Northern Hispanic Teacher of the Year due to her ability to impart knowledge to all of her students and to inspire students from all backgrounds to learn to their full capacity despite any socioeconomic disadvantages. In 2015 she was also recognized as a 40 Under 40 Honoree by Leadership Arlington for been an inspirational teacher and a distinguished young leader in the education field.

Why do you teach?

I am passionate about teaching because I feel that I can make a positive impact in my students’ life. As a Latina teacher, I strive to give a voice to all children. I want to be able to represent the underrepresented. I believe that if each of us care enough for the youth, we will see a difference in our world. If we care enough, we will help create a more fair, happy and peaceful world for our children to live in.  I understand that it is extremely important that each child feel proud of who they are and feel accepted. Accepted not just in the way they look but also in the way they “see” things. I feel very proud of my Latin roots and I want my students to also celebrate who they are. I believe that self- acceptance is important in my students’ personal and professional success and growth.

What do you love about teaching?

I love that every child can be successful in my classroom regardless of their economic background, interests, abilities or ethnicity.  I also like the opportunity to enhance my students’ life through authentic learning with hands-on art projects and I love seeing them succeed. I never get bored when I teach. Every day is filled with many opportunities to learn and fun!

When you were a student, was there a great teacher who inspired you? 

I have lots of teachers that inspired me in one way or another, but in 7th grade I had an amazing teacher (Maria Quiros) that stood out from the others. She was organized, responsible, hardworking, and knowledgeable; but the qualities that I admire the most are that she was caring and kind. More than a teacher, she was a friend. She showed me that I could be anything I wanted if I worked hard. She also challenged me and helped me build my confidence and self- esteem. She is the reason I believe that I can accomplish anything in life. I hope that I can become to my students the teacher she was to me.