The graduating Class of Hialeah High Reveals the Quality of the School’s Staff.

As the seniors of Hialeah High graduate this June, they will be surpassing more than just a diploma, having increased their English skills, hardships in the family and new responsibilities, all thanks to their wonderful staff.

Heriberto Sanchez, the principal of Hialeah High, has said that he made it his mission to ensure that every student receives quality education.

“In our city, kids do not feel challenged to learn English,” Principal Heriberto Sanchez said. “We face a challenge to offer the tools that they need to pass the Florida State Exams.”

Their English learners program has been successful. By offering courses in a bilingual setting, the teachers provided a smooth transition into the English language. Senior Samaria Carias had no intentions of majoring in English. She was born in Honduras as a native and was intrigued by the styles of her professors. Their teaching patterns helped her become more inquisitive toward the English language, and now she will be double majoring in comparative literature and in molecular, cell and developmental biology.

Aside from mastering the English language, these Hialeah seniors faced massive giants in their personal lives. Some of their students attended classes while being homeless. Others didn’t have money to pay for their senior activities. Another student’s parents were diagnosed with illnesses, creating unbearable and sleepless nights. It was through the help of their teachers and the staff that they overcame the storms that life had for them.

Another senior, Susette Onatte, said that the counselors and teachers gave her personalized care. She took seven AP courses in her senior year, was a member of several clubs, an editor-in-chief of the newspaper and section editor of the yearbook. With all of these responsibilities, it was very difficult for her to manage her time. However, her teachers gave her opportunities to make-up work if she needed to do extra-curricular activities. She had their phone numbers, including her counselors and advisors, and would keep communication with them. In addition, several AP professors arranged Saturday study sessions with their students at no cost to ensure that they pass their exams.

“What amazes me is that these teachers sacrifice a Saturday morning and get no compensation, whatsoever,” Onatte said.

Also a Silver Knight’s Journalism winner, Onatte’s teachers imparted into her the desire to transform her community. Along with a group of ten friends, she went to her middle school’s Bible club to revive the spirit of Christmas through carols. The success led the movement to spread throughout the whole school. They had Halloween parties, egg hunts, and many more events where the children were involved. She developed a great relationship with the kids. When she announced her graduation, kids asked their parents if they can have her number to stay in touch because they couldn’t fathom her not being able to return.

Her sister, also a graduate from Hialeah, has shared success stories.

“My sister is my role model,” Onatte said. “She inspired and motivated me to be the best that I can be in the school. She has amazing stories of what is going on with her because of everything that she learned in Hialeah.”

Samaria Carias, also a Silver Knight’s nominee, had the same to say about the staff of Hialeah High. Her nomination rose in regard to a former teacher that passed away due to cancer. The professor was very dear to the Hialeah High family. They created a butterfly garden in the school in remembrance of this teacher. Also, she loved the Christmas season in her school because alumni from different parts of the world would return to share their success stories that would encourage her to pursue her dreams. The relationship that the alumni kept with their teachers impressed Carias to the point where she wanted to keep that connection with her teachers.

The walls of Principal Sanchez’s office are filled with letters from students whose lives were radically changed at Hialeah High. He showed me one that he received the day prior, a small note from a student that thanked him for the influence he made to his life.

“Every year, the day of graduation is the highlight of my career,” he said. “It never gets old, and it reminds me that my job is rewarding and is worth it because students are being changed.”

His desire to be around the youth and challenge them to pursue their dreams pushed him to raise the bar with himself. He never planned to be a principal, but he always knew that he wanted to be around the young generation. Now, he not only shares this philosophy with the students but also with the staff of Hialeah High. He is currently lifting up staff members to be the future leaders of Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

“I tell this to everyone,” he said, “Hialeah High is a hidden gem. It is filled with beautiful people with different backgrounds and stories. We are one body working together to help our students and this city be a better place.”