This year, Selma High welcomes a new Community Liaison, Ms. Hurtado.
Ms Hurtado was a program support assistant at Heartland for over a year and half, as well as the Selma High’s Boys’ Basketball Coach for three years. Her interest in teaching at Selma High sparked when she saw the dynamic between the coaches and the team. This year she decided to take on a different role, becoming the school’s Community Liaison.
Ms. Hurtado initially decided to work with high school students because she believes they are at a pivotal point in their lives. Teenagers have to balance a rush of emotions along with experimenting with the real world. Ms. Hurtado finds it rewarding to see that regardless of how big or small of a contribution, she was able to make changes in the lives of students. Ms. Hurtado further explained that it is a very fulfilling job because she was able to give the appropriate resources to the families that are in need.
“It is rewarding to see that I was able to help not only the student, but the family altogether. By being able to [do this I can] help the student succeed in school, and ultimately in life with their education,” Hurtado elaborated.
When Ms. Hurtado was younger, she had an administrator who made a difference in her life. She had relatively good grades, but her teacher knew that she had more potential than what she was showcasing. When she was in sixth grade, her teacher had a conversation with her in which he emphasized that regardless of what others think, she should always follow her passion even if she did not “fit in.”
“Don’t worry about what other people think about you. You’re always going to do your best, and when you’re doing your best, the right people will be around you,” Ms. Hurtado recalls her teacher advising her.
Her heartfelt conversation with her teacher completely changed Ms. Hurtado’s perspective, and motivated her to always try her best. Since that day she would disregard others’ negative opinions and do what was best for her.
“Education is the best investment they will ever have, because it is something that no one can ever take away from them,” expressed Ms. Hurtado.
