Angelica Cruz
- Position: Student Teacher
- Bachelors or Degrees: Double major in spanish and education
- Years at Caney Creek: 1
- Years Teaching: 1
How would other people describe you?
I can come off as very strict, but once the kids get to know me, I think they usually enjoy the classroom.
Was there a career you wanted to pursue OR pursued before teaching?
I was considering going into the FBI in the linguistic department. Honestly, I can’t help everybody. If I were in the FBI, I’d probably just sit in the office translating things. So I kind of wanted to motivate the next generation or just help students as much as I can.
Tell us about how you got into teaching.
I had a really rough past. When I was 15, my mom died, and I went through a really dark period of time where I didn’t want to go to school, I didn’t want to listen to anybody, and then I had a really good teacher who was amazing; she helped me fix myself and made me realize I am smart enough and good enough to help others. She did pass away from cancer, so I wanted to continue her legacy.
What do you do outside of school for fun? Why?
I like to go to the movie theater; I like to watch a lot of movies from all genres. It takes my mind off things and allows me to go to a different world and use my imagination. I also like going to different restaurants to eat food from other cultures.
When people get to know you, what are they most surprised to learn about you?
I think it would be how and why I became a teacher.
Tell us the story about what you are most proud of.
I’m most proud of getting a degree at a young age. I’m just 22, and this is my first year here. I also overcame the incident of not wanting to be in school and dropping out but finished at an early age.
Who is someone you are thankful for and why?
I’m thankful for my grandparents for taking care of me after my mom passed away, and also for that teacher who helped me come out of that rough period of time.
What advice would you give to someone pursuing a career similar to yours?
You will have a lot of challenges and difficulties; you will take a lot of tests and do a bunch of research, but in the end, it will be worth it.
What do you hope to be remembered for?
I hope to be remembered for being a teacher who intrigued other students to learn a second language. I’ve always told my students that being bilingual is very beneficial, not just for your personal life, but also for when you want to travel or work; it can definitely give you advantages.
What’s on your bucket list?
Right now, I hope to go to Disney this Christmas.
Favorites
- Food: Nachos
- Song: “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart” by Taylor Swift
- Movie: “Encanto”
- TV Show: “Grey’s Anatomy”
- Book: “Hunger of Memory” by Richard Rodriguez
