In a familiar setting, but under a new role, Sofia Delgado has made a full circle, transitioning from the student desks to the teacher's podium at her alma mater, El Paso High School. Delgado, now a substitute teacher at El Paso ISD, is using her gap year to gain practical experience. "Being a substitute teacher is kind of weird after being a student," Delgado said in a statement obtained by El Paso ISD. She reflects on the dynamic shift, remarking on the strange irony of instructing in the classrooms where she once learned.
With ambitions to become a full-time teacher, Delgado sees her current position as a substitute teacher as the perfect opportunity to quickly learn and adapt to the various educational environments within El Paso ISD. In a day-to-day adventure, she discovers every campus and classroom's distinctive culture. "Every campus, every classroom is different, and I really like that," Delgado told El Paso ISD.
A fourth-generation educator, Delgado's dedication to teaching is a familial tradition. The influence of her parents, both of whom are in education, is evident in her career choice. Even the precious moments before school begins reflect this lineage, as Delgado shares, "My dad used to drive me and my sister to school when we were younger. Now he drives us again, and he drops my sister off at UTEP and then takes me to whichever school I’m subbing at." This sweet ritual, recounted by Delgado in an interview with El Paso ISD, underscores the intimate tie between her family's past and her present endeavors.
In this formative period, through her various experiences in different classrooms across the district, Delgado not only subs but also works to truly absorb the nuances of the teaching profession she is set to join fully. Encouraged by her familial background, she steps into a legacy while simultaneously shaping her own identity as an educator. "It’s really sweet, and I know he loves it," said Delgado, according to El Paso ISD, describing her father's role in her daily school-bound journey. As she carves her path within the EPISD, Delgado remains firm in her decision to embrace teaching, influenced undoubtedly by her roots and her personal commitment to education.
