It’s no surprise that educators are left with their mouths open when they are crowned Teacher of the Year. This prestigious award allows schools to acknowledge the hard work of specific teachers across the country. At Varela, many of our teachers strive for the honor of becoming Teacher of the Year.

This year’s Varela winner is none other than our Intensive Reading and Journalism teacher, Ms. Elizabeth Cardenas. She has been teaching at our school since it opened.

Ms. Cardenas shows that she has passion for her job everyday. Leaving at 2:30 is not an option; at times she stays after school until the sun is no longer out staying with her students to finish the school newspaper.

Her teaching career took off in1992 after graduating from FIU. She was grateful that Campbell Drive Middle School hired her as a long-term substitute teacher for that year. However, it was no walk in the park. During this time period, some of her students were homeless due to Hurricane Andrew. Ms. Cardenas described the experience as “total chaos.” On the positive side, these challenges prepared her to deal with difficult situations that she encountered in her following jobs and in her personal life.       

The following year, she faced a new set of challenges at Charles Drew Middle School. She taught students that lived in low-income areas with a high percentage of crime.

“My first few years at Charles Drew were stressful but when things come easy to you, it’s hard to appreciate them,” said Ms. Cardenas.

Even with the struggles, the English major still formed a bond with the students at that school.

“It was really hard to leave because I grew to love the kids. Working with those kids was a great learning experience for me that I will always treasure,” she said.

In search of a different environment, Ms. Cardenas applied for a job here at Varela when she heard of its grand opening. Ms. Milagros Fornell, Varela’s principal at the time, saw great potential in Mrs. Cardenas. Having already worked as the advisor of a newspaper at her previous school, she took on the role of managing Varela’s newspaper.

Today, she continues to advise our newspaper and has a Bachelor's degree in English Education, certification in Reading, and is a National Board Certified teacher. In addition, she is the 2009-2010 Miami Dade County Journalism Teacher of the Year.

Ms. Cardenas can be described as a modest person by some of her students and peers. Despite her outstanding achievements, she would have never thought that the Teacher of the Year award would someday belong to her. She is an individual that takes pride in her students and in herself.

“If a student fails, I fail as well,” she said.  

What really makes her stand out is the amount of dedication she has in everything she does. Whether it is working with her students on the school newspaper, teaching her Intensive Reading class, or being a mom to her son Joseph, Ms. Cardenas puts forth maximum effort in everything she does.

“Although some students may not realize it, others understand that Ms. Cardenas is one of the most honest, friendliest, gifted teachers that they will meet over the years. We are honored to have such a special person guide us in our education,” said sophomore Liliana Mora.