Gloria de la Rocha is a CDR Head Start teacher that has played a major role in the organization’s history for 50 years. Her five decades of dedication was honored at the recent Staff Development Day Service Awards.
“It was very meaningful to me,” said Gloria. “I feel in my heart that this recognition was also meant for all CDR staff who work with children,” she said. “When you love the work that you do there is no better reward in seeing how much you’ve helped educate children and families,” added Gloria.
A big thank you and congratulations to Gloria as she continues her work in the classroom. The following is the complete interview.
This year marks an incredible milestone – 50 years of service at CDR. Looking back, what first inspired you to became a Head Start teacher?
I believe what inspired me to become a Head Start teacher was my husband, Ismael de la Rocha. I would always see the love he had for teaching. He’d put so much time and energy into his work and with so much enthusiasm. He was a history professor at Ventura College for 16 years. One day he asked me, “Why don’t you apply for a teacher position at Head Start?” I did and was so excited to be hired. It is so rewarding seeing how children learn and develop.
What has kept you committed to serving children and families for five decades?
I personally feel what has kept me committed is my love for children and families, and for our program at CDR. After working for 50 years with CDR, my job has become such a big part of my life. CDR is part of my family. When you love and have a passion for your job, it doesn’t feel like work.
Over the past 50 years you’ve touched the lives of so many children and families. Is there a special memory or experience that reminds you why this work is so meaningful to you?
There are so many special heart-warming memories that I will always treasure. One special memory I have is of a child who was enrolled in my class that needed lots of attention for him to fully develop. The mother and father knew that their son was special, but they didn’t understand or knew what they could do to help their child.
After months, the mother followed through and made an appointment to have her child be assessed. At the meeting the parents were advised about what their child had and which services they could provide for him and how they would work with him.
The children in my class accepted this child with loving arms and would help him and include him in their activities. In the end, he began speaking and saying more words, socializing with the children, dancing, running, jumping, laughing, and developing relationships with his peers and with staff. To this day I still have contact with the family, and I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to have this child in my class and to teach him. I’m also grateful for all the help he received because it made a tremendous difference in his life and for the family.
As someone who has dedicated her career to early childhood education, what advice would you share with today’s Head Start teachers and the next generation of educators?
To strive to do your best in every aspect of your job, especially for the children and families. When you give 100% of yourself in doing your job as a teacher, you can see, feel and understand why you became a teacher. It’s so rewarding knowing you’ve helped educate children in so many areas of their lives that they will carry with them in their future, as will the families.
You were presented with a special recognition at the recent CDR Staff Development Day Service Awards. How meaningful was it to receive that award in front of all your peers?
It was very meaningful to me. It’s a wonderful feeling when you give 100% of yourself to your job and then get appreciated for all my dedication. I have always said, and will continue to say, that Head Start is a big part of my life. I’m so grateful to be part of an amazing organization. I feel in my heart that this recognition was also meant for all CDR staff who work with children. When you love the work that you do there is no better reward in seeing how much you’ve helped educate children and families.
The following are quotes from Gloria’s two sons.
Our family is incredibly proud of her 50 years of dedication as a teacher. We’ve watched her pour her heart into every child who has ever walked into her classroom. To us, teaching isn’t just what she does, it’s who she is. She is loving, committed, and fully devoted to helping her students grow, learn, and believe in themselves. For five decades, she has made the learning and development of her kids her top priority, and the impact she’s had on countless lives is something we admire deeply. We’re honored to celebrate her, and we are grateful for the legacy of love, patience, and excellence she continues to build every single day. – Albert
My mother’s 50 years of teaching reflects her huge heart and dedication to the learning of all children. It means so much to our family because we got to see our mom work at a job she absolutely loves and fulfills her life’s purpose. We are all so proud of her and know that Head Start, and all those she worked alongside with, are better because of her decades of service. – Mike
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