At the Abel Santamaría Cuadrado Mixed Center, everyone knows her. Her more than 30 years as an educator, mostly at this institution, have earned her the admiration and affection of her colleagues, neighbors in the community, and, above all, her young first-grade students. Her name is Elaine María Álvarez Núñez, a woman passionate about education.
How did you begin your teaching career?
I started as a teacher in 1980 at the Arquímedes Colina School in América. Around 1983, I was given the honor of serving a mission in Nicaragua, where I taught for approximately nine months. Afterward, I joined the Orlando Pantoja Seminary for a few years. During that time, I began teaching first-grade students, something that had a profound impact on me; That’s when I learned what it truly means to be a teacher, because I realized I was capable of teaching young children to read and write. I continue to work with that grade level.
What characteristics should a teacher have to work with early grades?
The first thing you need is a love for children, a love for the profession you practice. And that’s what has led me to achieve success with first grade at the school where I work.
How do you address the family-school connection to benefit the students?
Every day I meet with the parents after the morning’s activities. At that time, we review each child’s achievements and challenges. I also guide them through different tasks and explain to the parents how their children should work at home, how to practice writing, and how to do math. In the family education programs, we also have conversations about how to help the children. This is how a mutual relationship is built.
Elaine María is also one of the educators who returned to teaching after her retirement. This decision, driven by her commitment to her profession, contributes to the full complement of teachers at her school.
I was not able to stay home for months after retiring, so I had to go back to the classroom. Firstly, because the school needed more teachers, and also because I love teaching. That’s why I’m staying as a teacher and will continue to do so as long as my strength allows.
Undoubtedly, her experience teaching first grade has shaped Elaine María’s pedagogical work. She is now using her experience to benefit education in Contramaestre. She is an example for educators in the region.
