At 2:20 p.m., while the hallways are crowded with students eager to head home, several teachers make their way to various places, where they work on projects and take part in volunteer work for their community.
Being a teacher is a rewarding career for many. However, numerous teachers like to keep a balance between teaching and doing something they love outside the brick-colored buildings.
Miami Palmetto Senior High U.S. History Honors teacher Orlando Gonzalez has a passion outside of teaching: basketball. Gonzalez has an organization called Miami Hoops Academy, which trains kids from the ages of five to 17. They practice regularly on Saturdays and Sundays.
“Right now we have nine teams who all play travel basketball. We play one or two tournaments per month, and then we’re also organizing some elite teams to play on the Adidas circuit from March to July,” Gonzalez said.
Miami Hoops has an upstanding reputation in the basketball community here in South Florida. They have acquired numerous sponsorships, including one with Adidas.
“All the kids get shoes, uniforms and practice jerseys sponsored by Adidas. They’ve invited us to some of their national events as well,” Gonzalez said.
Not only does Mr. Gonzalez help kids dribble to their own beats, but MPSH Geometry Honors teacher Salvador Barrientos also tutors after school to help students via Zoom.
“I teach geometry, and some of my geometry students like the way I teach. So, when they go to Algebra II or Pre-Calc, they come to me again and bring friends so that I can help them,” Barrientos said.
His commitment to helping students succeed goes beyond the classroom, as Barrientos becomes a beneficial resource for those who need extra guidance. His passion for teaching is evident in the way he takes time out of his days — even when school hours are not in session — to help kids learn.
“Students make me want to teach because I want to make them grow, so if a student comes to me, it is because they want to get better and the feeling of helping my kids move forward brings me an awarding sensation,” Barrientos said.
Teachers at MPSH also make significant contributions to their communities in numerous ways. For example, MPSH Biology Honors teacher Dr. Sara de las Nieves Saborido runs an organization where she helps fund the less fortunate, giving all the profits directly to the Missionaries of Charity, located in Overtown, Fla.
“The Saborido Foundation was founded in 2015 and it’s all about helping the less fortunate. We collect, with a bunch of great partnerships, goods like toys, food, sometimes school supplies,” Saborido said.
From the age of eight, Saborido and her mom have been donating to the homeless, and helped to serve homemade food to the needy. As she grew up, she knew she wanted to make a difference and start a project that would help numerous individuals.
“As a teacher, it’s a lot to balance. But, just by doing something good for the less fortunate, I feel satisfied,” Saborido said.
At MPSH, the dedication of teachers extends far beyond the classroom. These educators find fulfillment in helping others grow — both in and out of the school, showing great passion and care.
