“Mr. Gomez is my teacher at Mapleton Jr High, and from the first day I walked into his classroom, I knew he was different—in the best way possible. He’s got cool stuff like sneakers hanging on the wall and maps showing all the places he’s traveled. He’s not just any teacher; he’s a first-generation college graduate who made his way from a small town in Veracruz, Mexico, to get his education here in the United States. He knows what it’s like to learn a new language and fit into a new culture—because he’s done it himself. And now, he’s using his story and experience to guide us through our own challenges.
What’s amazing about Mr. Gomez is how much he connects with us, not just as a teacher but as a mentor. He’s super busy teaching five different subjects and even learning how to run Driver’s Ed while taking online …