ALFONSO GONZALEZ
6th Grade STEM Teacher
Chimacum Elementary School
Alfonso (Al) Gonzalez is a 6th grade STEM teacher from Chimacum Elementary School in Washington. Al has been teaching for 33 years! Al was the recipient of the 2021 NCCE Outstanding Educator of the Year and the 2022 EPA Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators.
Al teaches Math, Science, and Robotics while also hosting an Esports Club to 5th and 6th graders in a 1:1 classroom. Al has enhanced his curricula by getting grants for 26 of the 33 years he’s been teaching, and 24 of those were consecutive! Yeah, that’s 24 straight years of getting at least one grant yearly!
https://about.me/alfonso_gonzalez/
Q: Tell us about a typical school day morning for you.
A: I like to get to school early to check emails and get ready for the kids without needing to rush so even though we pick up our kids at 8:45 am I usually get to school around 7 am. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I have my Esports kids at 7:30 so those days are a little more rushed, which is why we only have practices two days a week. Games happen in the evenings and this club goes on all year!
Q: We hear you’re an avid runner. What are some races you have competed in recently?
A: I hurt my knee earlier this year, so I’ve been recuperating and slowly getting back into running. I tried running the Rhody Run 10K in May, which is the closest race to me in Port Townsend, but it made my knee swell again so I had to back off. I normally run the Silverdale Whale of a Run 4 miler in early August and the Galloping Gertie half marathon where we get to run on one of the Tacoma Narrows Bridges around this time of the month so I’m really missing those! I’m also going to miss the September Quilcene Oyster Races half marathon and the October Poulsbo half marathon. Those are close to where I live so they are easier to get to but since my knee is still recovering, I cannot properly train for a half marathon!
Q: What other hobbies or sports do you enjoy?
A: My wife and I love hiking! There are so many amazing hikes around here! I also spend quite a bit of my time trying out new AI tools since AI hit the world by storm and I share as much as I can with other educators through my blog or presenting for WEA or presenting at NCCE!
Q: Do you have any advice for new teachers?
A: Focus on teaching and working with kids before you start taking on extra responsibilities. You are going to be asked to join committees and participate in extracurricular activities so choose wisely and don’t burn out by taking on too much. You will be a much better teacher and be better for your kids if you are rested and happy.
Q: How many times have you attended/ presented at NCCE?
A: I’ve presented at six NCCE conferences and I’ve been attending for as long as I can remember. For many years, as part of our district’s tech committee, members were sent to NCCE to bring back ideas. That was how I was first introduced to NCCE and can’t get enough!
Q: Please tell us why you like attending NCCE events?
A: I love learning from fellow educators. I consider myself innovative and an early adopter NOT because I think things up on my own but because I get most of my ideas from others who are doing things I probably wouldn’t think of on my own! My main motivation in learning from others and attending NCCE is to keep finding relevant ways to engage kids and that will prepare them for THEIR future!
Q: After over three decades in the classroom what are your three take a way?
- Don’t forget to take care of yourself, otherwise you will not be as effective.
- That means that if you are not having fun, then your students will not be having fun.
- While it’s a great idea to bring your students’ interests into your classroom it’s okay to share your passions with your kids. Even if your kids aren’t into what you are into, like Star Trek for me, they will still be kind and put up with you. 😊
