It’s never easy moving to a new country, especially when you’re a teenager, which science teacher Lucero Cruz knows all about.

Cruz was born in Oaxaca, Mexico, and she came to the United States in 2005 at the age of 14. “My childhood was beautiful, you had a lot of freedom,” she said. “I had the opportunity to get to know everyone that lived in the same street.” 

Her family moved to the U.S. in search of a better future, money was not sufficient enough to support a family of 5 in Oaxaca. Cruz had some struggles adapting to the new culture and customs, but nonetheless she was excited to make a new life for herself and provide for her family. While she looked forward to meeting new people and making friends, there will always be a soft spot in her heart for where she came from. “A part of Oaxaca always lives in my heart,” she said. “And I am very fortunate to be able to have the life that I have.” 

She attended North Salinas for her first three years of high school then transferred to finish her senior year at Alisal. She said she had a better experience here on the East side and at Alisal where she felt a better sense of belonging. “Being an ELD student who came from Mexico, this was a nicer environment because I felt more welcomed,” she said. 

Although she didn’t join any sports, she did join a club here at Alisal called Women in Science and Mrs. Dickey, who is retired, was in charge of the club. “My senior year here at Alisal I didn’t know anyone because I was new to Alisal,” she said. “Being a part of that club made me feel very welcomed.”

Cruz had excellent grades and was an overall good student, but college was never in the plans for her. “I didn’t know anything about the process of applying to college or getting financial aid,” she said. “My parents were farm workers and they were not able to help me financially or with the college application process. I was a first generation college student, EL (English Learner), and low income.” With the help from the Migrant Program here at Alisal, she was able to learn about and pursue the idea of going to college. “I didn’t have to pay for any of my applications,” she said. “I never thought about going to college, it was thanks to the Migrant Program here at Alisal, they gave me a fee waiver to apply for colleges.”

After graduating in 2009, she attended CSUMB, majoring in Biology. She graduated in 2013, and went to UC Santa Cruz for one year to get her teaching credential and her master’s in education, graduating in 2014.

She spent her time working at places such as Macy’s, strawberry fields, raspberry fields, and also had experience working in elementary and middle schools as a tutor through the Minicore program. This is where she discovered her passion for teaching and working with kids.

“I started working with elementary students and then middle school students, and that’s how I got into education,” Cruz said.

Cruz came back to Alisal because of the welcoming environment not just from the students but also from the teachers, not just helping students but also the new teachers.

Although having many teachers throughout her life, (math teacher) Mr. Mata has been the most influential in her teacher career. She admires the way he dedicated so much time and effort towards his students and their education, especially remembering the Saturdays he tutored at McDonald’s down the street from Alisal for students that needed a little extra help. “I just saw his passion and all the effort that he puts into helping students, ” she said. “I was like, wow, one day I want to be like Mr. Mata.”

When Cruz is not teaching she is spending time creating art, a new hobby she discovered 5 years ago. “It was until COVID happened and I had a lot of free time at home,” she said. “I discovered that I really enjoy painting.” 

Cruz has a lot of her artwork up on the walls of her classroom, mainly bringing in marine animal painting since she does teach marine biology and science. 

Her students appreciate all the effort she puts into her classes, all the fun activities and the hands-on labs that they do.“Our projects are really fun,” junior Isabella Castillo said. “She always manages to make them really entertaining for us.”

Cruz is currently on maternity leave, but despite being pregnant she plans on still keeping her streak of attending graduation supporting her seniors. “I haven’t missed a graduation since I’ve been working here,” she said. “I always attend my students’ graduation.”