Education All Stars: A rough neighborhood was no obstacle for this teacher

VOXXI is dedicated to recognizing those working in the field of education for making a difference and those students setting the example for our future generation.

There’s no denying the power and unlimited potential that comes from being excited about education.

Just ask educator Juan Luna, who in 2010 left behind his administrative position as a principal in the San Bernardino City Schools to return to the classroom.

“I became a principal when I was 27 years old,” Luna told VOXXI. “It was an opportunity that was given to me. I had a lot of energy and was gung ho about a lot of things. Here I am at age 27 getting keys to a school for K to 12th grade. That was challenging.”

While Luna was up for the challenge working 12 to 14 hour days for three years, it wasn’t until the birth of his daughter that he made the tough decision to step away for the sake of his family.

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“I really wanted to be a principal,” Luna said. “That was my dream job and eventually I will go back into it but now I went back into the classroom teaching and it’s been great.”

Today, Luna teaches fifth grade in the Fontana Unified School District Shadow Hills Elementary School in Fontana, Calif. He said he couldn’t be happier. Not only is he there for his now his two young children at home but he’s forged a new dedication towards his students that is already showing results.

“My principal has a running joke about why that all of these parents keeping calling about me,” Luna told VOXXI. “I said, ‘I just treat my students with respect. That’s what I tell my students, respect and discipline goes a long way.’ This is my 11th year in education and I always think teachers who have been teachers for many years just lose the focus. They’re there to collect the check.

“Those teachers are called the lemons because the school can’t get rid of them and the kids suffer. We know they don’t want to be here.”

Whether it’s in front of the class or as a student, being in school was never an issue for Luna. This is the despite the fact that he grew up as a first-generation American growing in the depressed area of San Bernardino where gangs and violence were a way of life.

In terms of overcoming challenges, Luna said his family struggled. His dad left the family when he was 7 years old. From then on, he grew up in a single-parent household, where his mother stressed education.

“My mom was strict,” Luna said. “There were times we were tempted to become part of a gang. When you live in poverty, it gives you a sense of poverty, but my mother was strict and would say, ‘An education will get you anything you need.’ She’d say, ‘You have to hit the books because this will give you a better life.’”

Luna points to his fifth grade teacher has empowering him to do well academically, and instilling in him a sense of equality regarding others.

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“Her name was Linda Brown, and she was African-American in a predominantly Hispanic school, but she saw no color lines,” Luna said. “She literally helped me out and gave me that fighting edge. She would say, you can do this.”

Still, his issue was a lack of role models; however, he said his grandfather, a migrant farmworker, did instill the virtue of hard work.

As a child, that meant he wanted to follow in his footsteps as a dishwasher, a job Luna had during his high school years. He finally realized his good grades at school opened up doors for a higher education

Not only did Luna pursue education, but in 2003 his first teaching job was as a fifth grade teacher at his old elementary school. The circle was complete. Now he was focused on helping those kids who needed a fighting edge.

Turning to the current state of Latino education, Luna said there are many issues facing the kids but in his mind most stem from the simple observation that students lack role models.

“Who can they relate to?” Luna asked. “I go back to when I was a kid and I didn’t have any Latino teachers until middle school. Even in my school now, I’m the only male teacher. Last week I had a student say, ‘Mr. Luna, I want to be just like you.’ I said, ‘Why?’ He said, ‘Because you look like me, you talk like me and you eat like me.’ I thought it was kind of cute how he said it but I guess it does make sense.”

However, Luna admits there’s more to the picture than just having a role model. It’s all about inspiring the students and motivating them to greatness. In fact, that not only is his driving force every time he’s in the classroom but has proven to be the key to his success as an educator.

“I’m just excited to be there,” Luna said. “Those kids honestly know if you care for them or don’t care for them.”