My LCG Story: Elisa Pacheco, Certified Master Teacher

Let’s get to know Elisa Pacheco, Certified Master Teacher (VPK Classroom), at La Petite Academy in Bradenton, FL.

How long have you been working at this school?
Miss Elisa: Almost 9 [years].

What classrooms have you worked in?
I started with the babies [Infants] for the summer and then I went to VPK [Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten, a state-sponsored program in Florida].

What is it about that age group that you like working with those kids?I love the way they learn. You have this expression: They learn like sponges. They do every year. I get kids that learn so fast. I have kids that left reading out of here, that do 3-digit math. It just makes me so proud. I love teaching them.

A few years ago, you became a Master Teacher. Can you tell us about that experience?
You learn a lot. I love the program. You also help your coworkers. You know, whenever they need help and they come to you, and you’re able to help them? It’s really rewarding.

How did you learn about that program?
Miss Gina [school director].

Miss Gina, what made you recommend Miss Elisa for the Master Teacher program?
Miss Gina: Her knowledge and care for the children. Her motivation to just keep doing better and to keep growing. I knew there was nobody else I would nominate for that. Helping each teacher, each individual teacher, on her own time. She’ll be here early in the morning and she gets everything done. Sometimes on her break. I have to tell her to stop moving. To just sit down and relax. She’s my number one. That’s why I knew she can have an impact on the teachers and students and myself. She’s taught me so much as a director.

That’s awesome. So, Miss Elisa, what made you choose a career in early child education?I used to live in New York. I [had] my own daycare, besides taking care of my own children. I loved being at home and taking care of them. I used to be their teacher with their homework and stuff like that. Then when they went to school, I decided to keep doing it. After that, I moved from New York to Florida and kept working in daycares.

What inspires you about working in this field?
The learning. I love to teach and I love the way the kids learn. When they accomplish what you’re trying to teach them and you see their expressions. They’re so happy that they finally got it. That does it for me. I love doing this every single day.

What is the best part of your workday?
Just [to] be with them. Just playing with them, teaching them. Sharing with them. I love to share with the children. I know I’m loved and I love them. It’s very rewarding. They love to be in my classroom. Even kids that are not in VPK, they love to be in the classroom. That’s the best. That’s the best for me.

Have you heard how your VPK children do once they go on to elementary school?
I [have] kids taller than me coming here and giving me a hug and telling me they’re so grateful and their parents are very happy. The siblings come after them. They leave. I get their brother or sister or whatever. So the parents and grandparents are very happy.

You’ve had a lot of families, a lot of siblings, come through VPK?
I have. [For example], first I had the brother, then I had the second brother, and then the sister. She just graduated. They all did amazing in VPK. Just the difference I made in their lives. I had a kid a few months ago. I was serving lunch, and he came in and he was like this tall, right? I said, You remember me? It was Jacob. He was the one that left reading because he used to read to the kids. And Mom said, He is doing so good in school. Thanks to you. You know, it just touches me. It just made me feel so proud that I’m doing something for them.

What would you tell someone considering a job with LCG?
If you dedicate your time and your effort to the children, they learn so much. So I tell them, Go ahead, do it. You won’t regret it.