Ray Salazar (Pavona-4th Period)

            On Thursday, February 2^nd, I had the pleasure of interviewing Mr. Ray Salazar, a writing teacher at Hancock College Prep. Although he’s been in his current job for less than a year, he said, “I have been in education for seventeen years. I have been a teacher for fourteen of those seventeen years.” His prior jobs as a teacher were at Jones College Prep and Hubbard High School. To get his degree in writing, he went to DePaul University for five years. 

Mr. Ray Salazar: Writer, Teacher, Hancock Hero

            Mr. Salazar has faced many challenges but also achieved many goals in his work. When he was young, Mr. Ray Salazar had decided to become a lawyer. When he saw that there were too many Latino lawyers, he wanted to become a teacher. When the time was appropriate, he signed up for college and went to learn, so one day he would teach. His family lived in poverty, so he knew it was up to him to pay for his own school. Due to the fact that he had to work at Burger King full-time, it took Mr. Salazar five years to graduate from school. This was the only way he saw that he could fulfill this dream. Now that he has his job, his work consists of working with teachers with writing to strengthen the knowledge of the students; he teaches two classes of his own, makes the school newspaper, and has a center where the students can go get help with writing assignments. He says he likes this job because, “I always felt comfortable in school.” 

            Mr. Salazar cares deeply about his work. As shown above, he likes this job because he has always liked writing, and school is something he has gotten used to and started to like. Before the teaching began, Mr. Salazar used to write articles for magazines and radio stations, so this influences his desire for writing. Although many students have been helped thanks to him, he said, “I do not consider myself a hero.” Mr. Salazar believes that Hancock College Prep is giving young people a lot of chances to practice writing. He also believes that teachers can make a difference in their communities. 

            “Heroes help other people recognize their talents and make them think different,” said Mr. Ray Salazar. Mr. Salazar has also given advice to young people. “Be proud of the motivation to do something. First you fulfill your dreams, and then you help other people change their lives.” Mr. Salazar may not consider himself a hero, but by his definition of a hero, you can clearly see that he is a hero.

Written by  Charles G.