“I had to decide between studying or having fun and I opted for the path that offered the best future for my children,” Dr. Claudia Gutierrez said.
By Ciro Arturo Valiente
East Boston – Although her parents could not predict the future and came to the United States looking for a better life, today they rejoice in the fact that their daughter, Claudia Gutiérrez is the new Principal of Mario Umana Academy in East Boston.
Born in Boston as the daughter of Colombian immigrants, Gutiérrez’s parents came to the country, like many other Hispanic families, without money or education. However, they were full of dreams and a desire to have a successful family.
“They came when they were young and because they could not speak the language or were not professionals, they had a difficult time,” she said. “They started alone sharing a room and working hard. They were able to overcome their adversities and get degrees in teaching which in turn taught my brother and me that with hard work and effort, everything is possible,” Gutiérrez said.
For 20 years, Dr. Gutiérrez has worked tirelessly in education in Boston starting as a substitute teacher, later taking on various jobs in the field. When she saw the need for more Latino representation in the administrative side of education, she decided to help the Hispanic community.
In the spring of 2014 she started working as an assistant to former Principal Alexandra Montes McNeil. Gutiérrez has been the Principal of the Mario Umana Academy since July 1, 2015 with more than 850 students, most of them Hispanics.
“I chose Mario Umana because this is where my Latino people are. I love being in the school and I know I can lead it with passion. I feel at home since the community has welcomed me with open arms and I know that when the youngsters see a person who speaks the same language as they do, they will have the courage to succeed,” the Principal said.
Gutiérrez has a degree in Business Administration from Northeastern University, a Master’s degree in Special Education from Eastern Nazarene College, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Phoenix.
Although she had to sacrifice friendships and parties, she is elated she became an educator. “It’s difficult to advance as a teacher. You can’t go to parties, you have to let go of some friendships, but it’s all worth it. I had to decide between studying or having fun and I opted for the path that offered the best future for my children,” Dr. Gutiérrez said.
The educator lived through a difficult and emotional situation where she had to be both mother and father to her children, while also studying and working.
“I got married very young and unfortunately the marriage was not successful, so I had to raise my children alone, with the help of my family,” Gutiérrez said. “Therefore, it was difficult to do my post- graduate schooling because I had to work to support them. During the day I’d work as a teacher and at night and on weekends I delivered telephone books. I was a waitress and did other jobs that would help me get ahead.”
Finally, Claudia Gutiérrez expressed her satisfaction of seeing former students who have succeeded, by taking students on college tours and helping them choose a career they love and have a passion for. “To see my former students work as teachers today, gives me an indescribable sense of happiness”.
“It doesn’t matter where you come from, whether you’re poor or if you have a high level of education. In this country, you can become anything you want. I want people to see that the daughter of immigrants could become a school director and use me as an example to reach their goals,” Gutiérrez said.
More about Claudia Gutiérrez
Wants to raise science performance
With the new school year starting on September 8, the Director of Mario Umana Academy’s mission is to increase academic performance in science by adding science and mathematics courses. This plan was started previously by former Director Montes McNeil.
Her second priority is to enhance the two-language curriculum which is currently used in kindergarten and first grade to make classes flow easier and allow children to learn two or more languages.
Ciro Valiente es Digital Media Editor en El Mundo Boston. Periodista venezolano residenciado en Boston. Motivador, productor y editor audiovisual. Sigue a Ciro Valiente en las redes sociales: Twitter e Instagram @ciroval5. Facebook: Ciro Valiente
