In this month's Staff Spotlight, we are highlighting someone who wears many hats at her school and plays a crucial role in helping students develop the skills they will need to not only succeed as they grow, but also to lead. This month's Staff Spotlight features Raquel Vasquez, Leadership Teacher at Lewis-Palmer Middle School.
What drew you to work in D38, and what has been your journey in education?
My roots are in the four corners area, and led me to study music at The Colorado College. I fell in love with the Front Range and stayed to pursue a career as an educator in middle school. I have been teaching in the Pikes Peak area for 11 years, nine of those years were spent in Colorado Springs District 11, building a choir program. My focus was on implementing a program that balanced student social emotional needs, leadership skills, and vocal excellence. When LPMS was developing the Leadership Teacher position, I knew my skills and approach aligned with the vision and needs for getting the program up and running.
What is your favorite thing about working in D38 and/or at LPMS?
We have an incredible student body and a wonderful staff, so my favorite thing about working here is the people. They continue to inspire the best in each other.
You wear multiple hats at LPMS. Can you tell us a little about what all you do at your school?
I coordinate our Welcome Ambassadors, and advise both our Builders Club and National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) alongside my Leadership classes. The Welcome Ambassadors are eighth grade student leaders who mentor our seventh graders throughout the year. Builders Club is a service leadership organization partnering with our Monument Hill Kiwanis Club where we coordinate our school’s participation in community building and giveback events. Similarly, NJHS invites our service minded students to extend the ways they can serve their community while maintaining academic excellence.
Can you tell us about what you do in your Leadership class and how/what you teach your students about leadership?
Leadership 1 is all about building the basics; Learning how to communicate clearly and kindly, picking up practical skills you can use right away in school, work, and life, and getting good at reflecting on situations so you can keep growing as a leader. Leadership 2 takes those skills and puts them to work on the harder stuff—real problems and messy situations you'll actually face.
How do you hope your students remember their time in your classroom or you as a teacher?
I hope that Leadership class is remembered as a safe place where expectations were high, success was higher, and the journey was fun. I want students to remember the rewards we reap from the hard conversations and feel motivated to carry that bravery with them. I hope students remember me as someone who was always on their side, genuinely pumped to be part of their story, and who never let them off the hook when it came to doing their best.
What is a favorite memory you have from working with students at LPMS?
One of my favorite memories with my students was a part of the preparation for our advanced class final. We were able to invite community members in to provide our students with some practice before their test. The community members had an absolute blast playing both the easy and the challenging sides of the exercise. The students were taken aback at first and then launched into the challenge to hone their skills and get the most out of the moment. The collaboration and joy was truly incredible.
Is there a message or anything you would like to share with your students or team members at LPMS?
I love what we are building together! To my students, you are stronger than you think, smarter than you want to let on, and capable of unimagined greatness. To my colleagues, thank you for partnering with me on our many adventures; I am so fortunate.
Go Patriots!