Paying It Forward: GSE Alum Wins Union County Teacher of the Year Award
Language barriers never stopped Alejandro Mejía from pursuing his dream career. After immigrating to the United States from the Dominican Republic at the age of nine, Alejandro dedicated himself to learning English.
“My teachers’ support was pivotal during this time. I often found myself watching Dora, Clifford the Big Red Dog, and anything on PBS to learn,” Alejandro said. “I was looking for after-school activities to extend and further develop the skills my teachers were trying to instill in me.”
Alejandro promised to pay forward the support and guidance he received from his teachers. Being adopted by an educator and having a community of teachers behind him inspired Alejandro to pursue teaching after graduating from high school.
The Rutgers Graduate School of Education (GSE) captured Alejandro’s attention when he learned that the Ed.M. with Certification in Foreign Language Education (K-12) program valued language acquisition theory and practice.
“It gave me a taste of the educational landscape in a buffet style. I had the opportunity to immerse myself in the community I was placed in, learning about the issues and events that impacted it,” Alejandro said. “How good of a teacher would I have been without this experience? Bringing in the community as part of the program was just magical.”
During his time at the GSE, Alejandro participated in the Conversation Café, a subprogram of The Conversation Tree, where members of the greater Rutgers and New Brunswick communities interact with English speakers prepared for intercultural conversations.
“Every conversation in the café led to another level of meaningful connection. We were able to do that in the target language—English—and it was phenomenal,” Alejandro said. “It’s something you don’t plan, it just happens. I think that’s the beauty of it.”
After being selected as the 2019 GSE Commencement Speaker of his graduating class, Alejandro expressed the importance of being a champion for oneself and for others.
“I remember telling my fellow graduates that you never forget who helped you get to where you are today. Use that to influence your students and those in our profession, because it takes a village in the educational world to ensure our students are learning,” Alejandro said.
In Alejandro’s classroom in Union County, he strives to make every student feel welcome.
“If you walk into my class, you’re going to feel welcomed. Many of these kids need a space where they can laugh and sing their emotions out in Spanish and English,” Alejandro said. “If they feel welcomed, loved, and cared for, they will do their best.”
Due to his unwavering dedication to the community, Alejandro was awarded the title of Union County Teacher of the Year.
“I’m incredibly thankful for the acknowledgement from both the Department of Education and our county offices. It reflects the hard work that my teachers helped me put in. Every time I see them, I say, ‘Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for not giving up on me. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to express myself in both Spanish and English,’” Alejandro said.
One of Alejandro’s major community projects involves organizing Hispanic Heritage Night for the Kenilworth School district, where students act as ambassadors for the 21 Spanish-speaking countries, drawing in over 500 guests from the area to attend.
“I’m incredibly proud of how much this event has grown and the magic it creates by bringing the staff, teachers, students, administrators, and families together for one night to celebrate the rich and vibrant cultures of our Hispanic community,” Alejandro said.
Inspired by the collective engagement that the GSE’s Conversation Café offered, Alejandro decided to implement a similar program in Union County.
“Many people from different backgrounds were coming to learn in a supportive environment. This experience from Rutgers has become a legacy that continues to spread. We’re doing the necessary work to ensure our community members have access to learn English, and ultimately, better opportunities,” Alejandro said.
As an immigrant, Alejandro highlights how education has allowed him to be resilient and overcome countless barriers, further emphasizing how the engaging environment at the GSE revealed his “why” for teaching.
“For students coming into the GSE, prepare yourselves for the ride. Rutgers truly takes into account the various areas that are important in the education world today,” Alejandro said. “When we discuss cultural capital, community assets, and second language acquisition as a whole, it’s all there. There is no missing piece. It leads to the realization that you can do this. That’s what I tell myself and my students. It’s all about showing up, doing the work, and trying your best.”