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Estrella Middle School teacher says cultural roots shape classroom
Summary
Patricia Preceda, a STEM teacher at Estrella Middle School, described how her upbringing in Sonora, Mexico, and more than 20 years in the U.S. influence her teaching, saying she aims to make students feel welcome and treat class as a "second home."
Patricia Preceda, a STEM teacher at Estrella Middle School, said her Mexican heritage and upbringing in Sonora, Mexico, shape how she teaches and how she connects with students. "Embrace where you come from. Embrace who you are," Preceda said.
Preceda said she is the oldest of five daughters and that her family moved to the United States "about 20 plus years ago." She told attendees that those experiences inform the way she builds classroom community and communicates with students, and that she works to include students' cultural backgrounds in classroom work.
"I really want my kids to come into my class and say, hey. I wanna be here. This is their second home," she said, adding that students spend a full "60 minutes" in her class and she wants them to feel welcomed and appreciated. Preceda said the shared culture makes it easier for her to connect with students and better understand the challenges they face.
Preceda also said she tries to "include them in everything that we do," so students can show pride in who they are and where they come from.
Her remarks focused on classroom practice and cultural inclusion and did not include specific policy requests or formal actions.
