Every teacher remembers their first day in the classroom. Mine taught me something no training ever could.
Before joining No Kid Hungry, I was a high school teacher in Detroit. But my story doesn’t start there. I was born and raised 8,600 feet above sea level in the rainy, chilly and colorful city of Bogotá, Colombia. My childhood was filled with epic soccer games with my neighbors, hikes in the mountains and family reunions filled with music and good food.
In the background of this happy childhood, my country was going through incredibly challenging years. For over 50 years, we lived in an armed conflict and the 90’s were especially difficult. Marxist guerrillas, paramilitary groups and cartels dominated the news cycle with stories of kidnappings, terrorist attacks in cities and cruelty that shouldn’t exist. Even as a kid, I remember the fear my family felt. Most of them were members of the National Police, and the headlines were often close to home.
My mom made so many sacrifices. She was a single mom and with the support of my grandparents gave me everything I needed. But most importantly, even in the face of so much darkness that surrounded us, she taught me to have empathy and care for others, to be loving and kind and to always give back.
These lessons from my childhood stayed with me as we started all over in the US. In 2010, we migrated to Michigan in search of a better future. My American stepfamily and friends were the sweetest and most welcoming people, helping me feel at home in those first challenging years in a new country. Over time, I learned of the struggles that many Americans and fellow immigrants faced. My mom’s values continued inspiring me to give back to my new community, and I decided that becoming a teacher was my way to do it.
I still remember my first day. I had spent all weekend preparing the perfect lesson plan with every element for success: individualized lesson plans for students who needed accommodations, videos for short attention spans, tasks for the troublemakers and rewards (you'll be surprised how much high schoolers loved stickers).
But when I walked into the class as a new French and Spanish high school teacher, I saw something that not even the most perfect lesson plan could prepare for. Many of my students were tired, putting their heads down and some were irritable. This was not just teenagers being teenagers. I knew many of them had tough situations at home. Some came to school late and didn't get an opportunity to eat breakfast; they were hungry.
That day I learned that hunger is a reality for millions of American children. None of my training prepared me for that realization. The students were brilliant, funny and full of dreams. With the right support, I knew the sky was the limit for them.
Even though I'm not in the classroom anymore, I still think about my students. My career journey has taken me to continue to work with students and school staff in storytelling for No Kid Hungry. I have learned the sobering truth that today 1 in 5 kids in America lives with hunger. But in my role, which takes me all around the country witnessing the impact of the programs we support, I have seen something amazing. With breakfast in the classroom, with summer meals, with programs that support single moms, with robust SNAP and WIC programs, I don’t see kids with their heads down; I see happy kids ready to learn and thrive.
Ending childhood hunger is not only something we know how to do and can do; it’s something we must do. This Hispanic Heritage Month, I reflect on my own story coming to the US and the dozens of incredible Latinos I have met in my path at No Kid Hungry. Latinos are essential to the fabric of America and to our goal of ending childhood hunger. This Hispanic Heritage Month, I celebrate my own journey and honor the countless Latinos whose strengths and contributions are essential to fueling tomorrow’s leaders as together we can ensure no child goes hungry.
