More Than 500 New Educators Join #TeamPGCPS

More than 500 new educators filled the auditorium at Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr. High School on August 14 for the Professional Educator Induction Program (PEIP) to network and learn classroom management, curriculum technology and more!

Meet new teachers Caleya White and Gustavo Abad Fernández and discover their diverse backgrounds, goals and what they are most excited about bringing to the classroom this year in this Q&A.

Caleya White
Flintstone Elementary School
3rd Grade

Q: Where did you complete your education and teacher training?

A: I attended Towson University where I majored in Early Childhood/ Elementary Education.  

Q: Can you tell us a little about your background and what led you to pursue a career in education?  

A: I grew up in Prince George’s County and have been here all my life. I saw first hand what the public school system represents.  I attended Robert Goddard Montessori School for Pre-K to 8th grade and graduated with my Associates Degree from the Academy Health Sciences at Prince George’s Community College. I was a part of the first graduating class of the teacher preparation program from Academy Health Sciences. I wanted to pursue a career in education because I want to help students reach their fullest potential and remind them that if you believe in yourself anything is possible.

Q: What inspired you to become a teacher, and why did you choose this specific subject/grade? 

A: I have always been a leader and when I entered highschool I saw how I could really make a difference in the next generation. I choose to work with 3rd graders because I feel that they are in a crucial time in their lives.

Q: What are some of your favorite memories from your time as a student?

A: Some of my favorite moments were how the teachers made lessons hands-on and engaging to get the students attention and memorize material.

Q: What are your goals for your first year of teaching?

A: My goals are to familiarize myself with the curriculum and get comfortable with teaching 3rd grade. I’ve been told not to stress too much since the curriculum isn’t the only thing that I will be judging this first year. I'll attend staff meetings, professional days, first year teacher training and much more. So although I will be putting my best foot forward to get the students ready for the next year, I know that everything is a trial and error situation.

Q: What are your hobbies and interests outside of teaching?

A: I love dancing, helping others and spending time with my close friends and family.

Q: Can you share an interesting fact about yourself that your students might not know?

A: I am left-handed, I love all things Disney/Mickey and I was a band dancer in college and captain of the team. 

Q: What are you most excited about in joining PGCPS?

A: I am excited about joining the same county where some of my relatives are currently working or have worked.

Gustavo Abad Fernández
Barack Obama ES
Foreign Language: Spanish K-5 

Q: Where did you complete your education and teacher training? 

A: I received my Bachelor’s degree at the Universidad de Almería, in Southern Spain. I recently finished a Master’s Degree in teaching Spanish as a foreign Language at the Valencian International University in Spain    

Q: Can you tell us a little about your background, and what led you to pursue a career in education?

A: My first experience teaching Spanish as a foreign language was in Scotland, UK, at the Berlitz Academy and Stevenson College. Since then, most of the time I have taught English as a second language in the public schools of Andalusia, Spain. I would like to highlight that this is my second experience at PGCPS teaching Spanish with the World languages ​​department.  I was previously here from 2017 to 2022 teaching at Melwood Elementary School. Needless to say, it was a very satisfying experience professionally and personally, great for me and my family and that's why we are back!! 

Q: What inspired you to become a teacher, and why did you choose this specific subject/grade?

A: I was born and raised in Almeria, a mid-sized city in the south of Spain. I have wonderful memories of my elementary school student years, so I guess that is what inspired me to become an elementary educator.  I also love languages, meeting people and getting to know different cultures and countries.

Q: What are some of your favorite memories from your time as a student?

A: I was one of those students for whom going to school was the best part of the week. I liked meeting up with my friends and I felt really comfortable sharing time with them. 

Q: What are your goals for your first year of teaching?

A: Mainly, adapting to the rhythm of my new school and the students who study there. Meet and collaborate with my fellow teachers so I can feel comfortable and do my best as a teacher.

Q: What do you hope your students will take away from your class at the end of the year?

A: I would love for them to come into contact with the wonderful Hispanic culture and feel interested in communicating in Spanish. It is a long and slow process, but planting that seed so that it can develop in later years is a magnificent start.

Q: What are your hobbies and interests outside of teaching?

A: I like to play sports like soccer or simply walk through the many natural spaces in the area. I also really like visiting the monuments, museums and other places of interest in the area. I love road trips in the United States. The whole family loves it. There are incredible landscapes, people and places.

Q: Can you share an interesting fact about yourself that your students might not know?

A: What I am most proud of is being the father of two wonderful kids, a son aged 10 and a daughter aged 9. They are living this new adventure with my wife and I.

Q: What book or movie do you think every student should experience, and why?

A: Oh, there are many that are very useful in Spanish classes. Perhaps I would highlight the films Ferdinand the Bull (2016) and Coco (2017) for their cultural contribution.

Q: What are you most excited about in joining PGCPS?

A: To be a part of this wonderful team of educators in a county where education is very important and respected by the community. I am also looking forward to working with the World Languages ​​family.