Meet Teresa Pacheco, teacher at Kettering Middle School in her 27th year of education and second year with PGCPS!

Q. What is your heritage and what country (or countries) is your family from?
A. Puerto Rico

Q. What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you personally, and why is it important to celebrate it in the PGCPS community?
A. I think people should know about Latin cultural enrichment and how it has become known in the U.S. and around the world.

Q. How has your cultural background and heritage shaped your perspective as a leader in education?
A. It is very funny since some words that I use in my vocabulary, being Latin, the students do not understand and many times I have to tell them what it means and they repeat them there. The truth is that being Latino we all speak differently and sometimes we don't understand each other. That is where cultural enrichment comes. I learn from other cultures, and you learn from mine.

Q. What advice do you have for those interested in pursuing a career in education, especially those from Latino backgrounds?
A. My advice is to keep moving forward and not get deterred because you are a minority. We all have a grain of sand to contribute in today's society and being Latino is a great source of pride.

Q. Can you recommend a book, movie, podcast or other resource that students, parents and educators can explore to learn more about Hispanic heritage and its significance in our society?
A. I would recommend those that travel to Latin countries take time to learn about the culture traveling. Watch YouTube or articles related to the place and learn and have fun searching for information about them!