Author: Hilda Pacheco

Hilda Pacheco is a Florida Certified K-12 Educator.  She graduated cum laude from the University of Puerto Rico and continued postgraduate studies at Barry University. She was born in Havana, Cuba but at the age of two her family had to flee the island nation and settled in San Juan Puerto Rico where Hilda was raised and did most of her schooling.

Her first teaching job was coincidentally in the same school she attended as a child until 12 grade,  Academia Perpetuo Socorro, where she taught Language Arts to grades 3-6.

In 1982 she moved to Miami, Florida and immediately began teaching 6th grade Social Studies, Reading and Language Arts at St. Theresa Catholic School in Coral Gables.  Once she and her husband Jose began a family she took a few years off to spend with her young children Andres and Alina.  Decision which unbeknownst to her at the time, proved to be very helpful as her youngest was born with a severe hearing loss and mild Cerebral Palsy.  Those first years were crucial for Hilda to be with her child to assist the Early Intervention Specialists as well as the Speech and Physical Therapists.  Once her young daughter was ready to start school and just after a couple of years was doing so well,  it was recommended she should be incorporated into the mainstream regular classroom,  Hilda returned to full time teaching.

She took a job in St. Kevin Catholic School where both of her children studied.  There she remained for the next 25 years. The last six years she not only taught full time but also held the position of Curriculum Coordinator of the Middle School and was part of the Administrative Team of St. Kevin School.

During her 40 years as an educator Hilda acquired extensive experience teaching and helping students grow, learn and develop both in the regular and special education settings. Her greatest reward has always been when grown adult former students return to visit and tell her they are doing well and making a life of their own. Especially those that had great challenges to overcome.

After 40 years of a successful and fulfilling career in education, Hilda decided that this past June 2021 was a good time to retire.  She has seen firsthand how education has changed through the years and is ready to dedicate her time and effort to help create more awareness of these changes. She hopes to become an advocate and a voice for those who might be seen as "different" but who by all means can achieve and experience success in their life.