During the first week of May, schools across the country celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, a special time to honor and show gratitude to the backbone of our education system. In addition to celebrating its teachers, Esperanza Academy Charter School (EACS), a K-12 charter school in Philadelphia, is also celebrating its 25th year. The Academy is thankful not only for the amazing educators leading their classrooms, both past and present, but also for the almost 30 alumni who have returned to the school as staff members. The school truly fulfills its mission when alumni return to educate the next generation of students.

I caught up with a few of these alumni who are now working with students who walk the same halls they once did.

Angel Natal, a 2019 graduate, is now a Middle School Art Teacher at the Academy. Angel joined Esperanza Academy in 8th grade and described it as a transformative experience. «When I first started, just being in a newly renovated building after spending the majority of my time in an old school building was shocking. That feeling of newness fueled me to want to work harder,” he remembered. “I also felt the teachers truly cared about me, like they saw something in me, and that specialness they envisioned for me made me care even more about the work that I did. The only time I ever felt that way was with my family. I think that is what pushed me away from following friends I had who were doing bad things, this idea that people saw me achieving great things in the future.»

Knowing firsthand the challenges of growing up in Philadelphia, Angel knew early on that he wanted to be a role model and mentor for kids in his community. As a teenager, he volunteered in summer programs and led a middle school art club at another local school, and already, he saw the positive impact he could have on younger kids. He explained, «Growing up in Philly, I was exposed to a lot of things that children shouldn’t see, and I know that sometimes our kids tend to look towards mentors in their neighborhoods who may not be involved in the right things. I wanted to change that and show students someone like them who is succeeding. Seeing students and the way they react to someone like them was always amazing to me.»

As soon as he decided to pursue teaching, he knew he wanted to return to his alma mater, a vision that came true last August. Now, the first-floor hallway of the Academy’s middle school is adorned with the artwork of his own students. His time as a student gave him access to programs and experiences that shaped his journey, and now, he is a part of the rewarding work of opening doors of opportunity for others. «[Teaching is] one of the hardest jobs, but can also be one of the most rewarding. To hear the words from a kid that you changed their life, or that you were the best teacher they ever had, or an insignificant moment for you was a life-changing moment for them, you can’t put a price on it.»

Aldercy Peralta, a 2014 graduate, is now a High School Math Teacher. Aldercy had always wanted to be a teacher, but that desire was further confirmed as she got hands-on classroom experience through the Academy’s Teacher Education curricular major. She had the opportunity to spend time in classrooms at both Antonia Pantoja and Esperanza Academy’s middle school, an experience that “sealed the deal” for her. “It’s easier for us to do lesson plans, do a project, talk about the history of education, … but when you are actually able to apply everything, I think that for me as a visual learner, that kind of made me decide—yeah, this is what I want to do,” she recalled.

For Aldercy, coming back to the Academy to teach feels like coming full circle. Aldercy’s parents are from the Dominican Republic, and she learned English during her school years; she was the first in her family to graduate from college, and the first to become a teacher. In college, she attended a primarily white institution where she was in the minority, and that was challenging. She was still navigating a language barrier and sometimes felt left out when her peers’ differing life experiences made it difficult to relate to them. Now, back at the Academy, she sees herself in so many of her students and wants to help them learn and grow, navigate new experiences, and reach their full potential. She not only teaches math but also acts as a mentor for both current and former students; she has seen how important it is to consistently show up for her students and be a stable presence in their lives. “Being back [at the Academy] was important. I think that it was kind of my mission.” She tells her students, “I’ve been here, I’ve done that, but I also know that you can do it, too.”

Maribel Ramos, a 2015 graduate, is now a 4th-5th Grade Science Teacher. Similar to Aldercy, her aspirations to become a teacher were also confirmed through her experience in the Academy’s Teacher Education curricular major. She originally wanted to teach high school, but after spending time with different age groups and completing her student teaching in Kindergarten during college, her direction shifted to elementary grades.

Maribel also experienced challenges in the college environment, sometimes feeling out of place or othered by her peers. There were moments when they seemed to assume that because of where she was from—her background and ethnicity—she didn’t know as much as them. But these moments became growth opportunities. Drawing on the knowledge she gained during her time at the Academy, she realized that no matter how her peers perceived her, she did have what it took to be there, and her seat at the table was well deserved. Despite the challenges that she has encountered along the way, she now encourages other students who are considering a career in teaching not to let those obstacles stop them. She motivates them by assuring them, “If you really have a desire to teach, don’t let those situations dim your light or discourage you.”

For Maribel, coming back to the Academy felt like coming home. She explained, “Being able to roam the halls and see how much Esperanza has grown allows me to see the growth that is happening within the community and the impact that my teachers back there gave me to help empower me. And now, being a student who was actually raised in the community, being able to empower similar students from the same community—it’s fulfilling.” From leading her students in engaging, hands-on science experiments to arranging an interview with the only Latino chief meteorologist on national TV, Maribel is making connections for her students and making an impact in the community she grew up in through STEM education.

Hayley Robayo, a 2020 graduate, is now a K-3 Special Education Teacher. Hayley’s love for education started at her family’s childcare center, Lita’s Little Angels LLC, which opened in 2015. “Being in that environment every day allowed me to build meaningful relationships with children and support their growth and development. That experience helped me realize how powerful it is to be a positive influence in a child’s life, and it ultimately inspired me to pursue a career in education.”

Hayley’s high school years ended on a bittersweet note; as a 2020 graduate, she missed out on many of the typical senior-year milestones, such as prom and the traditional graduation ceremony. But that didn’t change the strong sense of community that she experienced here as a student. “As a student, I recognized how privileged I was compared to some of my peers who faced significant challenges, such as limited support at home or having to navigate responsibilities at a young age.” Hayley elaborated, “Those experiences stayed with me and motivated me to return and serve this community. I want to be someone who encourages students to believe in themselves and reminds them that their circumstances do not define their future.”

Now, Hayley is taking every opportunity to make an impact on students. In addition to her role as an elementary special education teacher, where she provides individualized support to students with diverse learning needs, she also established and leads the elementary dance club, a first for the school. She also intentionally connects with older Academy students in the Teacher Education major as they consider their futures. “I especially enjoy connecting with high school students who visit the elementary school to explore careers in education,” she shared. “Being able to talk with them, encourage them, and inspire them to consider becoming educators is very meaningful to me. It feels full-circle and truly uplifting.”

Luis Rosado, a 2011 graduate, is now a 1st grade teaching assistant. Back in high school, Luis had no intentions of becoming a teacher. He was interested in music and was already learning how to record. He has fond memories of participating in “Academy Idol”, competing against his peers and forming friendships with other musicians along the way. After graduating, he began working at another neighborhood school while studying to be an automotive technician. That’s where he realized he loved working with kids and started heading in a new direction.

Today, Luis draws inspiration from teachers who are now his colleagues who had an impact on him, Mr. Stringfield and Mr. Grow. “When I had Mr. Stringfield as a teacher, he showed his human side, but he also showed his teacher side. He was relaxed with students, but also strict and stern when needed. He found a way to balance that out,” he reflected. “Now that I work here, he’s someone I often think back to. Mr. Grow was similar in the classroom. He was very relatable and genuinely interested in what we liked to do.”

Luis described the family-like culture that he felt as a student, which he still feels now as a staff member, as well as the meaning of Esperanza—hope—that has endured through the years. Luis provides both in his interactions with students and in how he brings joy to the entire elementary school through his morning announcement videos. He remembers something his former school leader and later colleague, Mr. Solivan, used to say, which he now repeats to his students: “It could be raining, it could be cloudy, but I can always find that Esperanza sunshine through the hallways.”