It’s fair to say that teachers have one of the most difficult jobs. Dealing with obstacles like classroom behavior and low salaries, pressure from school administrators and parents, teaching requires understanding, creativity, communication, and most of all, a lot of patience.
Although Alisal is filled with a number of amazing teachers, this year, English/theater teacher Veronica Pulido won Teacher of the Year.
Also having recently been featured in the New York Times for her submission to the What High School is Like in 2023: A Multimedia Challenge for Teachers and Teens , she is both honored and the unexpected and overwhelming love she has been receiving lately. Having both awards stacked on her, has created an excellent start to 2024.
“I feel really humble, I feel honored, I feel seen..it feels surreal to be honest,” Pulido said. “I don’t know what I did to deserve it…it’s a pleasant surprise.”
AP Literature and Composition teacher Ignacio Mendez, and 10th grade English teacher Mireya Gutierrez nominated Pulido. Starting here at Alisal along with Pulido, Gutierrez has really gotten to see Pulido’s growth and impact. With how much our community needs more exposure to the art, Guitierrez recognized all the work that Pulido was putting in to achieve this. More specifically with the last community play La Posada Magica which was also a collaboration with Artist Ink, Guitierrez believed that her hard work needed to be recognized.
“Since I started working with her, I’ve noticed that she’s inspired students to be more involved in the arts which is something I believe Alisal needs,” Guitierrez said.
Pulido has been teaching at Alisal for almost 10 years now. While working at Harden Middle School, Principal Christina Perez Parker scouted Pulido after watching her give a lesson, and she found a perfect fit. Originally starting with 9th grade English, Pulido took over the theater department and is now also the director of Alisal’s school plays.
“There’s nothing I don’t like about teaching,” Pulido said. “I like how every day is a new thing, a new energy.”
Getting to interact with her faculty members and students every day is Pulido’s favorite part. Being able to have a second home to go to, especially when stuff gets stressful at home is something that not all careers are able to have. She wishes to most of all have a positive influence on her students in guiding them in the right direction (and also being a theater teacher) wishes to help students find their love for the arts. She wants to see her students grow, and make lessons and class enjoyable for them. The inspiration that comes from knowing how much of an effect she could have on her students, is what drives her.
“I want my students to know that their representation matters,” Pulido said. “I want you guys to believe in yourself and realize that the world isn’t just made for white male positions, the world is made for people of all backgrounds, all genders…anyone can do it.”
Pulido’s students are not short in recognizing her hard work and dedication. It is a common trend among her students to find Pulido a source of inspiration, comfort, and a cause in more confidence within themselves and the work around them. It is clear that Pulido is one of the most caring teachers who you can encounter, one who will always try to push you out of your comfort zone, one who will lend a helping hand, one who will try her best to flow your creativity, and one who will always look out for you. Bringing her positive energy every day, despite how bad things might be, anyone could tell that she wants to be here with her students.
“She’s really empathetic with others,” senior Angelica Lopez said. “She gave me a place to go, somewhere I could be comfortable.”
