As soon as students walk into Lizbeth Arreola’s classroom, they’re hit with the lively sound of popular songs in Spanish. Covering the walls are a variety of different flags from Spanish-speaking countries, and posters from many different projects. The welcoming environment is a direct reflection of Arreola’s friendly and warm personality.
Arreola has worked at Palatine High School for four years as a Spanish teacher. She teaches classes specifically for heritage speakers, but she also teaches AP Spanish Language.
“I always wanted to be a teacher,” Arreola said. “I think what solidified my decision was growing up, and just seeing the lack of Latino teachers, and I always felt that there was such a high need for teachers that could connect with Latino students and just understand the struggles that we face as a community.”
Arreola said she initially was going to be a math major with Spanish as her minor, but after taking Calculus II, decided to switch to Spanish as her major.
Arreola said she was born in Mexico, but came to the United States when she was six. She grew up in Palatine, Illinois.
“My goal was to teach Spanish to heritage speakers,” Arreola said. “That was always one of my dreams, so that’s what made it happen.”
She currently teaches two levels of Spanish heritage courses at Palatine High School.
Being able to teach Spanish classes and having Latino heritage is extremely special to her, so that she can further support and understand her students. She hopes that her Latino students will get motivation from her to also be able to achieve whatever they want to.
“No dream is too crazy, and I feel like having that representation helps students be like, ‘you know what, I can also do it,’” Arreola said.
Many Latino students do feel the impact and the difference having a teacher with a similar background to their own teaching them. Arreola has had a positive impact on many students that have taken her classes, or are currently in them.
“It’s honestly such a big impact having her [as a teacher] because seeing someone who looks like you who knows what you’re going through, who knows all the little niche things Latinos go through is amazing,” senior and OLAS co-president Leslie Lopez said. “You have someone who is really there for you when you need it.”
Arreola said she wants her students to feel “represented” in the classroom. She does this by adding flags of Spanish-speaking countries along the walls, and she even plays music that every student has a chance to recommend, just to go above and beyond to make her students feel comfortable in her class.
