Mrs. Alcala was named Teacher of the Year for the first time after 20 years of teaching, and I had the opportunity to interview her. Due to her prestigious title, I wanted to know how she felt about the recognition and her career in teaching. Mrs. Alcala shared that she felt honored and was grateful for the acknowledgment after 23 years of teaching.
Becoming a teacher is a process, which she explained during our conversation. She mentioned that at first, she wasn’t sure what career path she wanted to pursue. She attended Fullerton College and earned an AA degree in Liberal Studies. Then, she transferred to Cal State Fullerton in an effort to figure out her direction. Although she wasn’t sure what to major in at first, she chose Spanish and earned her Bachelor’s degree in the subject. To become a teacher, she completed her teaching credentials and master’s degree at a different university.
With her new title, I couldn’t help but wonder why she decided to become a teacher. She explained that her inspiration came from her love of working with students. Initially, she worked with elementary students but quickly realized it wasn’t the right fit for her. She then began teaching at the high school and junior high levels, which made her realize she loved working with the youth and connecting with her students. She finds great joy in seeing their successes.
As I listened to her, I was curious about her upbringing, since she had so much energy and enthusiasm. Mrs. Alcala shared that she has always lived in Anaheim, where she was born and raised. She attended a church school from kindergarten through 8th grade, then went on to Anaheim High School, where she graduated in the class of 1999. Growing up, her family was always involved in helping those in need, which she believes influenced her desire to help young people. This desire to give back is something she shares with all five of her siblings.
Mrs. Alcala also discussed the challenges of working with students, saying that building strong connections with them is key. She emphasized that understanding students and being able to communicate with them—especially during conflicts—helps resolve issues without arguing. She strives to make her classroom a welcoming space, a place students can feel at home.
I was also curious about the moments in her career that stood out as her greatest accomplishments. Mrs. Alcala shared that seeing her students achieve success is incredibly rewarding. Some of her former students are becoming lawyers, doctors, or entrepreneurs. Even seeing students walk across the stage to receive their diplomas brings her great excitement. She is particularly proud of her teen mom students who graduate early, and it brings her joy to see them move forward in life. Each achievement is different, but her happiness for each student is always the same.
Throughout her years of teaching, Mrs. Alcala has never received negative criticism. While many people have commented on her energetic personality, she sees it as a part of who she is. Her enthusiasm remains strong after all these years of teaching.
In conclusion, Mrs. Alcala said she loves connecting with her students and believes it benefits both her and the students. Building these connections allows students to achieve greatness, and she emphasized that sometimes, it’s that one teacher—whose connection makes students look forward to coming to school—that can have a lasting impact. Mrs. Alcala makes sure to maintain strong connections with her students to motivate them and see them succeed.
