Get to know Mrs. Manzanares!!!
If you are dual language family you are probably have already fallen in love with Mrs. Manzanares! She holds down first grade for the dual language program and has been part of the Herod family longer than the new school building has been there! Mrs. Manzanares exudes kindness, compassion and the pure love of educating elementary aged students. We hope that all our jets that travels through first grade get to experience some of her magic, and the beautiful energy she puts out into the halls of Herod Elementary! PTO LOVES YOU MRS MANZANARES!!!
What is your hidden talent?
My hidden talent is sports. I have done different sports, and some people say I’m good at them. I don’t think they are necessarily easy, but I do enjoy the challenge, and the friendship you develop being part of a team. It is all super fun! You work hard, help each other, and keep the good vibes so that we all have the best experience. It’s always a gain for me. You either win or have an amazing practice when playing against teams that are more skilled.
What is your dream vacation?
My dream vacation… many wonderful places intrigue me, but my dream one would probably be close to the Equator! Warm weather, surrounded by nature, clear water, healthy food, and lots of peaceful and impressive places.
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do with the money? (Besides donating a portion of it to Herod PTO)
If I won the lottery…the very first thing after donating to our wonderful PTO, paying off my house, and helping some people in need… I would create a full Spanish language immersion Summer Camp! The experience would include different activities resembling to being in Spain or another Spanish speaking country.
What Herod teachers class would you like to be a student in for a day?
I appreciate each of the teachers at Herod, I truly believe we are the best! Not only because our academic preparation and experience, but dedication, involvement, and commitment to teach and do what is best for the kids. My admiration goes to many of them. But since I’ve been at Herod for a long time, I’ve had the opportunity to work closely or be in many teachers’ classrooms already. In what they used to call “Learning Walks”. So, I would choose to be in Ms. Moses’ Classrooms! We all know she is an excellent teacher, but I would like to be a student in her classroom because of her incredible cheerful-funny personality, creativity, and kind heart.
In which Hogwarts house would you be sorted?
I would be Gryffindor, without a doubt!
What is your spirit animal?
My spirit animal would be a Hummingbird. So little, delicate, and yet powerful wings and precise flight. Adorable!
Is there a quote or saying you live your life by?
My quote in Spanish is: “El que quiere puede”, It means “When there is a will, there is a way”. I tell it to my students and give tons of examples about it. Learning the academics and a new language requires a lot of effort. Kids don’t necessarily notice it; they just accept the challenge. But others need a little more effort on their side. It is all a blessing at the end.
What is your favorite Herod memory?
My favorite memory as a teacher is built from little moments shared with each of my students. Their personalities, struggles and successes, dreams, their resilience, and memorable quotes will always stick with me!
My favorite moment as a mom at Herod was to have my daughter in 5th grade there with me. This was when we were back in the old school. They were building the new school and plywood sheets were covering the construction area. It wasn’t a good view; they were cutting all the willow trees there! Fifth grade got organized and involved other grade levels to paint a huge mural on the plywood walls. It turned out beautiful. They decorated it with trees, birds, flowers, and hearts. I remember walking in the hallways with my students and seeing my daughter with her classmates doing the mural, a priceless moment!
