TOWAMENCIN – For Señor Alejandro Vidal, teacher at NPHS, Spanish not only means culture and tradition, but also happiness and life. After being born and raised in Colombia and living in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for a couple years, Vidal moved to the United States when he was nine years old.

Comparing the countries’ differences, Vidal described what he enjoys the most from each country.

“From Colombia, I love the food, the weather, and the people,” said Vidal. “From the U.S., I love the American culture. I love how hardworking everybody is and also how honest Americans are.”

When considering Spanish in general, Vidal explained that Spanish people always tend to be happy, especially in Colombia.

“Everybody seems to be happy about everything,” explained Vidal. “It’s like every day is a fiesta! What I love about Spanish, especially in South America, is people love life. They are always happy every single day. It’s just a celebration of life, and I treasure that. I hope to keep that until the day I die.”

In order to stay connected with the Spanish language and culture, Vidal explained that he visits Barcelona, Spain to spend time with his grandparents whenever he has the opportunity. Additionally, Vidal enjoys going to Colombia to see some of his other relatives.

Following a high school education in Northeast Philadelphia, Vidal became enrolled at Temple University, where he accomplished a five-year program. During this time, he earned two degrees: a Bachelor’s in Education and a Master’s in Foreign Language. Additionally, Vidal completed a minor in business. Although Temple requires their students who will be teaching foreign language to study abroad during college, Vidal explained that he was exempted from the stipulation, since he was born and raised in a Spanish-speaking country.

After student teaching in CB West in Doylestown, Vidal was hired and transferred to CB East, where he taught for about two years. However, presented with an unusual opportunity, Vidal decided to quit teaching.

“I was at Central Bucks for about two years,” explained Vidal. “Then, I decided to quit. I had an opportunity to work for a private company that I’ve been working part-time. They offered me a really good position, using my bilingual skills. I just decided to do it. I did it for about a year and a half. Then, this opportunity just came about, and I was very lucky that Mr. Hynes hired me. So, here I am.”

Surprisingly, Vidal still works for the private company that he’s been involved with since college. As the International Sales Manager, Vidal not only works the second job on the weekends at the nearby office, but also in the summer. The day after school ends, Vidal travels to Tampa, Florida for the summer to work in the company’s office.

Not only has Vidal been teaching at NPHS for about a year and a half, but also advising the SALSA Spanish Club. He explained that the opportunity has allowed him to help students celebrate and learn more about the culture.

Recalling what inspired him to become a teacher, Vidal explained that his high school teachers influenced is career choice.

“It was actually three of my high school teachers, who were just so passionate about everything that they did,” said Vidal. “I just noticed that, and I thought to myself, ‘Life is worth it, if you can do something for other people.’ I love education. I love my language. I love my culture. So, why not?”

Just as the three high school teachers motivated him, Vidal proves to be having the same impact on his students. As his most significant accomplishment during his teaching career, Vidal explained that he received an email from two former students that he had in his first year of teaching.

“I received an email from [two] former students, and [they] told me that they decided to change their major because they were so inspired by my class that they wanted to become a Spanish teacher. I was really honored for having them in my classroom and a couple years later when they told me that. I was just thrilled, because it was my first year teaching. I was fresh out of college, and I had not experience. All I had was just my energy, knowledge, and my passion for education.”

In regards to knowledge, Vidal explained that the most significant thing he’s learned from teaching is a piece of advice that his mentor shared with him while he was student teaching.

“She said to me, ‘When you’re going to punish your students, punish them with kindness. If you’re kind, they’re going to respect you, and they will give kindness back.’ That stays with me, and I have never had any problems with students,” said Vidal. “If they respect you and understand that you’re kind, but you also expect them to work, they’re going to give something back to you.”

However, after explaining that his favorite aspect of teaching is everything, Vidal added that he enjoys the creativity he can introduce in the classroom.

“I remember that one of the administrators, Mr. Broxterman, said to me, ‘Señor Vidal, the day that you feel like you’re not creative anymore, that’s when you’re going to have to question if you are still a good teacher.’ That sticks in my head every single day, and that’s why I like to be creative with my classes. I think that if you stop creating, then what’s the purpose?”