Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with Guest Blogger Stephanie Reyna
Hello Buzzing with Ms. B family!
My name is Stephanie Reyna. I am a certified school counselor in the state of Texas. I am writing on Chrissy’s blog today to invite everyone to an intentional pause. The life of an educator is a fulfilling one, but it’s also a busy one. So, it is important to pause once in a while and reconnect with ourselves and remember the “why” behind the work we do.
We carry our heritage with us in everything we do, but sometimes we lose touch when we are in the daily grind. Hispanic Heritage Month makes me consider who I am because of the people that have been in my life. My grandmother recently passed; she lived 91 years full of life. She often spoke about her childhood and living on a ranch, her parents both from Mexico. She said, “Mama, gave us all a choice. We could work in the fields with Papá, or en la concina with her.” She told me she picked inside so she wouldn’t be in the sun, but she quickly learned it was just as hot inside as it was outside, worse sometimes because of the heat from cooking.
Later in my grandmother’s life, she befriended a local author in Houston and told her one of her childhood stories of a billygoat named Sancho that was travieso. My grandmother loved telling me stories of all kinds. I think when you reach a certain age, you can’t help but share your experiences with your loved ones. Her stories would make me listen intently and spark my imagination. There was always a lesson.. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Laugh at yourself once in a while. Don’t waste food. Water your plants so you can enjoy them. You don’t have to go to a fancy school to be educated, read everyday.
My Grandma Reyna was an avid reader. She didn’t finish school but she made up for it with her love of reading. She read the newspaper, novels, the Bible, recipe books, comics, and Reader’s Digest. She would get lost in a good story. She never missed her telenovelas on TV either. We would sit and watch them on a small television set in the dining room after enjoying one of her home cooked meals. I loved my grandma’s stories and I love her story.
If any part of you shares Hispanic and/or Latino heritage, let yourself pause and appreciate yourself and the people who made you, you. And if you don’t share this heritage personally, allow yourself to learn about and enjoy the many contributions of Hispanic and Latino peoples.
A Book List to Use All Year
Chrissy and I created this book list so you can refer to it throughout the school year. It features works by Latinx authors, along with stories of history and living history that celebrate trailblazing Latinos and the stories they continue to share.
This post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Bring These Books Into Your Classroom
Several of these titles are picture book biographies of trailblazing Latinos. My Biography Research Projects, Graphic Organizers & Tools pair beautifully with them, and my Interactive Read Aloud Signs help students practice comprehension strategies while you read aloud.
Keep Reading
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