Sioux City, Iowa -- Valeria Alcala is paying it forward.
A West High School senior, Valeria had two amazing teachers that taught her the meaning of inspiration. Today, she is inspiring students at Liberty Elementary School.
Valeria is part of the Sioux City Career Academy’s education pathway, allowing her to gain practical, hands-on experience through a teaching internship at Liberty Elementary while taking her classes. Several times each week, Valeria will assist students and staff at Liberty.
“I first became interested in education because I enjoy working with kids. I also had two amazing teachers that inspired me very much. I want to be what they were for me for other students,” says Valeria.
While her leadership and speaking abilities have impressed her instructors, it’s her bilingual skills which have helped Valeria connect with students.
“The thing I have enjoyed the most (about my internship at Liberty Elementary) is just talking to the kids. Every single story they share is amazing,” adds Valeria. “The most challenging thing is switching how I speak. In high school, there is a slang word for almost everything. In elementary school, you can’t go around using slang because the students are learning proper grammar, and they wouldn’t know what it means!”
When Valeria isn’t in the classroom as a student or intern, she serves as the Sergeant at Arms for West High’s student council and participates in the Spanish National Honor Society. She is also very involved in music – lending her musical talents to the band, marching band, jazz band, and choir. Last year, Valeria graced the stage in West High’s musical.
As she begins her last semester of high school, Valeria is looking forward to the future – a future that includes a possible career in social work or education. In the meantime, she is enjoying every minute of her internship.
“I have been so surprised about how interested kids are in everything. They ask a lot of questions,” says Valeria. “Most of the kids are very mature, and it’s just so interesting to see how different kids are and act together compared to when I was in elementary school.”