FIRST RESPONDERS, TRAFFIC RESPONSE, AND MEDICAL PERSONNEL are often the first people our clients see after they have been injured in an accident or other detrimental event, providing life-saving measures and shepherding them to safety. We, along with our clients, are incredibly grateful to these heroic people who put their lives on the line every day so that we can be safe or cared for in the event that we have been hurt. We don’t believe that they get enough praise and credit for what they do!
Hardin’s Heroes was created by Matt Hardin to honor members of our community who go above and beyond the call of duty during times of crisis. Through our interviews, we learn about them, their vital roles, and their motivations behind helping those in need. In recognition of these amazing people, Matt Hardin Law donates $500 to the charity of the Hero’s choice.
WE ARE CURRENTLY HONORING THOSE WORKING THE FRONT LINES DURING THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK
Hardin’s Heroes was created by Matt Hardin to honor members of our community who go above and beyond the call of duty during times of crisis. Through our interviews, we learn about them, their vital roles, and their motivations behind helping those in need. In recognition of these amazing people, Matt Hardin Law donates $500 to the charity of the Hero’s choice.
Arlene has lived in the greater Nashville area for the last four years and she’s been teaching Spanish at Explore Community School in East Nashville for the last three.
The recent pandemic has drastically changed how she communicates with her students, as well as the rest of her colleagues, but she remains hopeful there are brighter days ahead.
Keep reading to learn more about Arlene’s backstory and her plans for the future.
I was born and raised in El Paso, Texas, which is a border city, with my three siblings. My parents are from Mexico, and my dad came to the US during his high school years, and my mom came to the United States when she was 18. I have three adorable nieces who I love so much. I try my best for them. I try to be a good role model for them and encourage them to go to school and just work at getting a higher education. As their tia (aunt), I want the best for them. Being the second oldest, I was the first one to go to college and the first one out of my dad’s entire family to graduate from college. I’m currently working on my Master’s in teaching, and I teach Spanish, as well as intervention. So, this is just an amazing opportunity I’m blessed with.
I’ve been in the area for four years. I live in Madison now, but I used to live in Nashville, closer to Hermitage.
El Paso, where I grew up, is full of mountains and desert. For 24 years, I was there, surrounded by all that desert and heat. And when I first came to Nashville in 2012, I just saw how green and beautiful it was, and I was just amazed by it, by all the nature activities provided, that were free, as well. So, the nature is one of the main reasons I wanted to move out here. Then, after seeing that, I looked into the education system to see how it was. And I had come across that they’re big supporters of reading and really didn’t have many bilingual teachers. So, I was like, “Oh, they support reading, which is something I truly enjoy, and I encourage.” And so, I felt like I could make a bigger difference out here.
I work at Explore Community School, which is in East Nashville. I’m teaching Spanish to third graders through fifth graders. The school is growing, so the plan is to teach Spanish from third grade to eighth grade.
Explore is a project-based learning school, which involves the community in many ways. That is one of my favorite parts. It provides thinking outside the box and most importantly, working as a team.
At Explore, we stand by five core values and these core values are represented every day. They are curiosity, compassion, community, courage, and craftsmanship. As I mentioned, these core values are encouraged and shown, and celebrated on a daily basis by students, staff members, and families. There are constant shout outs. And the kids will want to shout out like, “So-and-so is showing compassion and because of this.” Just celebrating one another is amazing. We even have parents saying their kids are showing those core values at home as well. That’s just something to grow with and take into their lives once they leave Explore.
I had the same teacher for the first, second, and third grades. She was the one who inspired me to become a teacher. So, in third grade, when we had to fill out a little activity of what you want to be when you grow up, I knew then that I wanted to be a teacher. And I never really changed that idea – it was a dream of mine. She had a huge impact in my life, was very supportive, and I wanted to do that as well. The same impact she had on me, I wanted to go and help others.
When all this started, it was just taking it day by day, trying to figure it all out. But since there wasn’t any school after spring break, we used that time to try new platforms.
It was like, “Okay, there’s Zoom. We can do that.” And you can meet with the kids, but we really weren’t teaching. It was just providing asynchronous work for them. And when we did meet, it was optional, because not everyone had the technology available. Just working with them and connecting with families overall was hard.
But since the new school year started, we’ve had more training about the protocols which was helpful. Especially extra training on virtual learning, because back in March, we had no idea. Over the summer, we had virtual training, and I continued teaching from home. We’re all virtual teaching, and as of now, I’m scheduled to do that until December. There are some teachers, like K through first, that are teaching in the classroom with their students, the parents that gave permission for their kids to go to the school building.
But I know for sure it affected the growth of students. In that short period of time from March until May, some students fell behind. We weren’t able to get all the accurate tests, and the same could be said for classes now. From conversations I’ve had with some of my kids, some prefer virtual learning, and some would rather be at school. That’s just their learning style. For some, it’s just easier to learn when they’re in the classroom. They have better focus. I know that’s been a challenge for them, as well.
I feel like there are so many things about it, but I think just that building relationship is something I am super grateful and proud of. And I’ve been at Explore for three years; this is my third year. But just seeing our students grow, going from third-graders, now fifth-graders, and just the growth they’ve done. It’s really great.
I think just breathe, because there’s been so many difficult moments and a lot of anxiety all over the world. So just breathe, pray, and find the moment to be grateful for. That’s helped me a lot with just trying to think more positively. Focus on the good, rather than the bad.
Being able to go out, as far as traveling. And being able to hug my kids! Being back in the school building and being able to touch others. Just hug the kids, because they always want to give hugs, and that’s something we can’t do right now. We had a fall festival recently. It was a fun event we had prior to fall break. And one of the kids saw me and said, “I really want to hug you.” And I was like, “Me too, but we can’t!”
I think first and foremost, God. He’s given me a second chance in life. And my mom. My mom, she’s a hard worker. She went back and got her GED, and she worked graveyard for a while and then became a single parent and still took care of four children and worked. And it was just amazing. My mom inspired me. So that’s what motivated me to stay focused on my education, go to college, find a career, and just work hard in what I do and what I want to do in life.
And I think as far as at work, I’d say my coach, Colleen Cummings. She’s been guiding me as a teacher, providing advice, giving me advice, giving me “glows and grows” and just being supportive and encouraging me.
Teleporting, so I can move from one place and then the next, so quick. I would save myself so much money visiting with family and traveling all over the world.
For her time and cooperation, we’re proud to award Arlene with the Hardin’s Heroes Certificate and $500 to the charity of her choice, No Potential Left Behind.
