CUSD 50 Staff Spotlight: Armando Valdes, Spanish Teacher at Harvard High School
"I was born and raised in Pinar del Río, Cuba, where I completed my undergraduate education. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Foreign Language Education and ESL from the Instituto Superior Pedagógico de Pinar del Río. After coming to the United States, I earned a master’s degree in Spanish from Northern Illinois University and a master’s degree in School Leadership from Concordia University Chicago."
"Sometimes I feel like I have been teaching all my life. One of my earliest inspirations was my fourth-grade teacher, Señorita Josefa. She always encouraged me and gave me confidence. She noticed how much I enjoyed helping my classmates and recognized that, in teaching others, I was also becoming a better student. My mom, one of the kindest people I have ever known, was another important influence and taught me so much at home about caring for and supporting others. I officially began teaching in 1992 and have been fortunate to call District 50 home since 2001."
"Being an educator is about much more than teaching a subject. It is about building relationships, believing in our students, opening doors for them, and helping them recognize what they can achieve. I believe we have a responsibility to do everything we can to help every student succeed, and when a student struggles, I first ask myself what more we can do to reach them. Seeing students grow in confidence and become successful, caring people is probably the most rewarding part of what we do."
"What I love most about Harvard is our students. I have been here for 25 years, and I'm still impressed by how respectful, compassionate, and appreciative they are. Our students come from many different backgrounds and bring their own experiences, cultures, talents, and challenges, and I believe it is our job as educators to see their potential and help them find pathways to success. After so many years here, Harvard is more than where I work; it is a community I care deeply about."
"I believe in creating your own opportunities instead of simply waiting for them to come to you. Keep learning, work hard, help others, and prepare yourself so that when an opportunity does come, you are ready to make the most of it. At the same time, encourage the people around you and let them know when you see something good in them; you never know how much a few positive words can influence someone. I know from my own life that sometimes having just one person believe in you can help you begin to believe in yourself."